The upcoming meeting of the Council of the European Union could become a milestone in Ukraine's European integration process. According to information released by influential European observers, Brussels is preparing to take a key step toward the bloc's expansion by setting the date for the official opening of two negotiation clusters at once.
Expectations from the October 13 'Super Tuesday'
As Radio Liberty journalist Rikard Jozwiak reported on social media X, the EU Council meeting scheduled for October 13, 2026, has every chance of turning into a fateful moment for the entire security and cooperation architecture on the continent. European diplomats and experts have already unofficially called this date a 'Super Tuesday,' emphasizing the high momentum of the negotiation process. In addition to advancing the Ukrainian case, the agenda includes closing three negotiation chapters for Montenegro and one for Albania, indicating a general acceleration of the community's enlargement policy.
Technical Steps and Hungary's Position
The successful holding of the October meeting was preceded by complex diplomatic work at the level of EU working bodies. Specifically, on October 6, the relevant EU Council working party on enlargement (COELA) is expected to receive consent from Hungary on a further technical step. This concerns issuing official agreement to send a letter to the Ukrainian side requesting negotiation positions on clusters No. 2 and No. 3. Following this, Kyiv and Brussels must swiftly complete the necessary technical procedures.
Kyiv's Domestic Political Obligations
To adhere to the strict schedule, the Ukrainian side must fulfill a number of homework assignments. In particular, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is required to urgently pass amendments to national legislation, specifically the law 'On Education,' strictly before the EU Council meeting scheduled for October 13. Fulfillment of these legislative requirements is a mandatory prerequisite for further progress along the negotiation track and demonstrating commitment to European standards.
Contradictory Data
Despite optimistic statements regarding the potential opening of the clusters, certain concerns persist in the expert community regarding potential bureaucratic delays and procedural nuances. Some sources within diplomatic circles indicate that aligning the positions of individual member states may require additional compromises, although official Kyiv and specialized agencies expect all procedures to be completed. In addition, the question of the realistic deadlines for closing the remaining chapters remains debatable given the scale of reforms required for full membership.
Plans by the End of 2026 and Reform Prospects
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Vsevolod Chentsov previously stated that Ukraine expects the successful opening of all remaining negotiation clusters for EU accession by the end of the current year 2026, provided there is a positive development of events. An additional incentive to accelerate the process is initiatives by the European Commission, which is considering granting candidate countries broader access to its single market even before their formal accession to the bloc, as well as preparing reforms to decision-making mechanisms to bypass national vetoes.
