--- title: "Marta Kos: The UPA Scandal Should Not Hinder Ukraine's EU Accession" description: "Marta Kos stated that disputes between Ukraine and Poland over the UPA should not affect the country's accession to the EU. πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ The first negotiation cluster will open as early as June 15, but the European Commissioner emphasized that membership is impossible without reforms in the rule of law. βš–οΈπŸ“‰" date: 2026-06-08T13:10:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/marta-kos-upa-scandal-should-not-hinder-ukraines-eu-accession tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Marta Kos: The UPA Scandal Should Not Hinder Ukraine's EU Accession ![Marta Kos, EU Commissioner, speaks in front of the EU logo, discussing Ukraine's accession to the European Union](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/08/marta-kos-skandal-s-upa-ne-dolzhen-tormozit-vstuplenie-ukrainy-v-es/marta-kos-skandal-s-upa-ne-dolzhen-tormozit-vstuplenie-ukrainy-v-es-1.webp) The European Commission has issued a clear message: bilateral disagreements between Kyiv and Warsaw must not become an obstacle to Ukraine's European integration. This was stated by EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, during a meeting with journalists. Experts have noted the current diplomatic crisis triggered by the naming of a Ukrainian unit after the "Heroes of the UPA." This move by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy provoked a sharp reaction from Polish authorities, including threats to strip the Ukrainian leader of Poland's highest state award. However, in Brussels, there is insistence that such political frictions be resolved exclusively on a bilateral basis and should not affect the broader cause of Union enlargement. ### Negotiation Schedule and Reforms Marta Kos presented specific timelines demonstrating the EU's eagerness to move forward. On June 15, in Luxembourg, at the intergovernmental conference, the opening of the first negotiation cluster with Ukraine is planned. According to optimistic forecasts, the remaining clusters will be opened in mid-July. Nevertheless, the European Commissioner emphasized that the path to membership is inextricably linked to internal changes within the country. "Ukraine will not be able to advance on the path to EU membership without implementing reforms in the area of the rule of law," Kos noted. She also commented on the realism of accession by 2030, stating that everything is possible provided the necessary results in reforms are achieved. At the same time, she acknowledged that the process cannot be instantaneous. Personally, Marta Kos expressed hope to sign the accession agreement for Ukraine within her term, which will last until 2029. "I would be happy if this happened," she said. ### Diplomatic Context Against the backdrop of these statements, active diplomatic work continues to resolve the conflict between the countries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that to rectify the situation, Polish officials have already begun negotiations with the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov. The European Commission expects that there will be no "problems" from the side of Poland and that the parties will find a compromise without blocking integration processes.