Ukraine has taken another step toward the European Union, but full membership is still far from certain. The EU formally opened accession talks with Ukraine during Midsummer week, a move that brings the country closer to the bloc while also underlining how long and complex the process is.

Ukraine submitted its membership application in February 2022, just days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. According to Iltalehti, the negotiations are only at the beginning, and the path ahead remains politically and technically demanding.

Starting talks is an important symbolic milestone for Kyiv, but membership will still require extensive preparation and broad agreement among EU member states. That means the process can take time even though political support for Ukraine remains strong.