Ukraine Has Met 'Two Conditions' Out of Seven for EU Membership

A report from the European Union, set to be released this week, indicates that Ukraine has fulfilled two out of seven conditions required to begin membership negotiations with the EU. According to Reuters on Monday, this was announced by two informed sources within the EU. This progress has been made despite Ukraine being embroiled in a heavy Russian invasion. The EU granted Ukraine official candidate status for membership symbolically and importantly a year ago, four months after Russia's invasion. Russia attacked Ukraine amid its efforts to integrate with the West. The EU has set seven conditions for the start of Ukraine's accession negotiations, including judicial reforms and anti-corruption measures. Ukraine has requested to begin negotiations this year. Two senior EU officials, who are aware of the upcoming report that has not yet been made public, stated that Ukraine has so far met two conditions. One of these officials told Reuters that these conditions relate to judicial reforms and media law, adding that the focus of the EU report has been on positive changes. In recent months, Ukraine has had several high-profile corruption cases, including the arrest of the Chief Justice on suspicion of receiving a $2.7 million bribe. Beyond the intensified efforts to combat corruption, other conditions include reforms in Ukraine's Constitutional Court, law enforcement, anti-money laundering measures, as well as laws to curb oligarchs and protect the rights of Ukrainian minorities. The 27 EU member states will have the final say on whether negotiations with Ukraine can begin and when such negotiations might take place. Ukraine has reclaimed 'eight villages' from Russia in a counteroffensive over the past two weeks. Ukraine and Russia have reported an increase in casualties due to the explosion of the Kakhovka dam.