France's Minister-Delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Adda, outlined in a fresh interview the key conditions under which Paris considers the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the European Union. In his words, it is critically important for Kyiv not merely to declare its aspiration toward Eurointegration but to consistently implement reforms in three areas: the fight against corruption, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, and entrenching the rule of law. Adda emphasized that it is precisely these institutional transformations that form the foundation of what Ukrainian citizens see in the prospect of EU membership — a system of checks and balances and transparency in public administration.
French Experts Inside Ukrainian Institutions
Separately, the French politician reported that experts from France are already working in Ukrainian state institutions, providing practical support for carrying out the judicial reform. "We will continue to do so," Adda stated, emphasizing that Paris's technical and expert assistance is not a one-off gesture but a form of long-term accompaniment. Thus, France positions itself not only as a political ally but also as an institution directly involved in the transformation of Ukraine's justice system.
Geopolitical Calculus: "Peace on the Continent"
Adda directly linked Ukraine's accession to the "European family" with the interests of Europe itself and its geopolitical stability. "It will bring peace to our continent," he formulated, adding that the process is based on concrete achievements rather than political promises. In his assessment, the path to the EU is "demanding," as it is built on reforms, and Paris intends to "monitor this process and provide Ukraine with comprehensive support along this path." The wording indicates that France is ready to support Kyiv, but on the condition of measurable progress in institutional change.
Domestic Context: Tax Changes and Salaries
Against the backdrop of statements on Eurointegration reforms, Ukraine is also discussing domestic economic transformations. Among the recent changes is a reform of the tax system, in particular a review of the taxation procedure for individual entrepreneurs (IEs). According to RBC-Ukraine, Kyiv managed to set the income threshold for IEs subject to taxation such that a significant portion of small entrepreneurs will not fall into a risk zone. In addition, Ukrainians can expect a slight increase in salaries in 2027, which is also seen as an element of adapting the economy to the standards required for the Eurointegration track.
What This Means for the Process
Adda's statement fixes France's position as one of the key "drivers" of the Eurointegration process: Paris does not question the fact of Ukraine's future membership, but emphasizes that the pace and depth of reforms will determine the speed of progress. For Kyiv, this means that pressure to accelerate the judicial and anti-corruption reforms will grow, while for Brussels it means that France is ready to act as a "quality guarantor" of institutional transformations, rather than merely a political sponsor.
