--- title: "EU Ambassador to Ukraine: Brussels expects to open all six negotiation clusters by the end of 2026" description: "EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova stated that Brussels expects to open the remaining two negotiation clusters for accession by the end of 2026. On November 4, the European Commission will publish an enlargement report." date: 2026-11-03T16:57:46.437Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/eu-ambassador-all-negotiation-clusters-ukraine-2026 tags: [ukraine-eu-accession, eu-enlargement, negotiation-clusters, katarina-matternova, european-commission] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # EU Ambassador to Ukraine: Brussels expects to open all six negotiation clusters by the end of 2026 ![EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova speaking against the background of the Ukrainian flag](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/03/es-otkroet-vse-peregovornye-klastery-dlya-ukrainy-do-kontsa-2026/es-otkroet-vse-peregovornye-klastery-dlya-ukrainy-do-kontsa-2026-1.webp) ## Key Points - EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova stated that Brussels expects to open all six negotiation clusters by the end of 2026. - To date, four of the six clusters are open; the remaining two, according to the ambassador, should be opened this year. - On November 4, the European Commission will publish an enlargement report, in which Ukraine is expected to be named among the four leading countries. - Mathernova stated that not a single rollback is recorded in any reform area, although the degree of progress varies. The European Union expects all six clusters within Ukraine's EU accession negotiations to be opened by the end of the current year, 2026. This was stated by EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova during a meeting with journalists. According to her, Ukraine has opened four of the six clusters this year alone, and Brussels "strongly hopes and still expects" to open the remaining two this year as well. ### Four of the six clusters already open As of November 3, 2026, the European Union has opened four of the six clusters under Ukraine's accession negotiation process. Mathernova emphasized that the disappointment previously caused by the blocking of Ukraine's path to the EU "no longer exists," and progress in enlargement has become not only theoretical but also practical. Thus, the key issue for the coming months remains the opening of the two remaining clusters, which, according to the ambassador's assessment, should happen by the end of the year. ### European Commission report on November 4: Ukraine among the leaders Mathernova pointed out that on November 4, the European Commission will release an important enlargement report, which is expected to emphasize that Ukraine is among the four leading countries on the path to joining the European Union. This document will serve as another indicator of the reform pace and Kyiv's standing compared to other candidates. ### «Not a single rollback» in reforms Commenting on the reform dynamics, the EU ambassador stated that there is "not a single rollback" across various sectors. According to her, the degree of progress varies: in some areas it is "disappointing" and termed "limited," in others it is good, but Brussels records no backward movement in any sector. Mathernova considered this circumstance important for assessing the overall process. ### Context: From the first cluster to an intergovernmental commission with Hungary The first negotiation cluster was opened in June 2026 at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg; at the same time, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed hope to open the remaining clusters as early as July, although some observers pointed to a lack of time. Last week, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi announced that in November, Ukraine and Hungary will organize the work of an intergovernmental commission to deal with economic issues, the protection of minority rights, and more. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [В ЕС надеются открыть последние переговорные кластеры для Украины до конца года](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/es-spodivayutsya-vidkriti-ostanni-peregovorni-1793724688.html) - Direct statements by EU Ambassador K. Mathernova: 4 out of 6 clusters open, hope to open the remaining 2 by the end of the year; EC report on November 4; absence of reform rollbacks. - [В Евросоюзе надеются открыть остальные переговорные кластеры с Украиной в июле](https://news.liga.net/world/news/v-evrosoyuze-nadeyutsya-otkryt-ostalnye-peregovornye-klastery-s-ukrainoi-v-iyule-kos) - Context: opening of the first cluster at the EU Council meeting in Luxembourg; expectations of EU Commissioner M. Kos to open the remaining clusters in July 2026. - [ЕС откроет для Украины все переговорные кластеры уже в июле](https://mignews.com/news/politic/es-otkroet-dlya-ukrainy-vse-peregovornye-klastery-uzhe-v-iyule.html) - Confirmation of June 15, 2026 as the opening day of the first "Fundamentals" cluster and July forecasts. - [В ЕС допускают, что не откроют все переговорные кластеры для Украины в июле из-за нехватки времени](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/06/17/8039777/) - Context regarding possible timelines and time constraints when opening clusters in 2026. ## FAQ ### How many negotiation clusters for Ukraine's EU accession are already open? As of November 3, 2026, four of the six clusters are open. EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernova stated that Brussels expects to open the remaining two by the end of the current year. ### What will happen on November 4 as part of the enlargement process? On November 4, the European Commission will release an enlargement report, which is expected to emphasize that Ukraine is among the four leading countries on the path to EU accession. ### Does the EU record any rollbacks in Ukraine's reforms? No. According to the EU ambassador, no rollback is observed in any sector; the degree of progress varies—evaluated as "limited" in some areas and good in others.