Poland Reaffirms Strong Support for Ukraine's EU Accession Talks, Offers Expert Assistance

Poland Reaffirms Commitment to Ukraine's EU Path

Poland has once again expressed its strong support for the opening of negotiations regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union. This reaffirmation came during the 14th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland held in Lviv on December 11, 2025. Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada, Olena Kondratiuk, and Vice-Marshal of the Polish Sejm, Monika Wielichowska, both highlighted Poland's unwavering solidarity with Ukraine's European integration aspirations.

Further demonstrating its commitment, Poland officially joined the Ukraine2EU – EU Integration Support Programme on December 11, 2025, at the Informal Meeting of Ministers for European Affairs in Lviv. As part of this initiative, Poland has contributed €1 million and will provide high-level advisory support. This assistance will come from senior Polish experts who were instrumental in guiding Poland's own successful EU negotiations, aiming to help Ukraine align its laws with the extensive body of EU law known as the acquis. Ignacy Niemczycki, Polish Minister for European Affairs, emphasized that Poland 'knows how demanding the EU accession process is' and that their experts' experience will be crucial for Ukraine.

Ukraine's Journey Towards EU Membership

Ukraine's path to European Union membership gained significant momentum following its application on February 28, 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion. The country was granted EU candidate status on June 23, 2022, a decision unanimously supported by all EU Member States.

Key milestones in Ukraine's accession process include:

• The European Council's decision to open accession negotiations on December 14, 2023.
• The formal opening of accession negotiations on June 25, 2024.
• The successful completion of the screening process of negotiating chapters with the European Commission in September 2025, a critical step in assessing Ukraine's preparedness for membership.

Context and Nuances of Polish Support

Poland has historically been a vocal advocate for Ukraine's integration into Western institutions. Shortly after the 2022 invasion, then-President Andrzej Duda called for an 'immediate express path' to EU membership for Ukraine. This long-standing support is rooted in shared strategic interests and a common understanding of regional security challenges.

However, the narrative of Polish support has seen some recent nuances. In July 2025, newly elected Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed opposition to Ukraine's 'unconditional' EU membership, citing the need for prerequisites. Despite this, Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignacy Niemczycki clarified on December 12, 2025, that the Polish government's position largely aligns with general support for Ukraine's EU accession, emphasizing that constitutional authority for such decisions rests with the government. Niemczycki also noted that public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Polish citizens view Ukraine's EU membership as being in Poland's strategic interest.

Earlier, in October 2024, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Poland would block Ukraine's EU accession until historical issues, such as the Volhynia massacre, are resolved. While public support for Ukraine's EU membership among Poles saw a decline in June 2025 compared to 2022, with 35% in favor and 42% opposed, the government's official stance remains one of active support and assistance for Ukraine's integration efforts.

Continued Strategic Partnership

Poland's consistent backing, both politically and through practical assistance like the Ukraine2EU program, underscores its belief in Ukraine's European future. This strategic partnership is seen as vital for regional security and stability, particularly in the face of ongoing geopolitical challenges. As Ukraine continues its reform efforts and progresses through the accession chapters, Poland remains a key ally in its journey towards full EU membership.