Brussels – The European Union is facing internal divisions regarding the pace of Ukraine's accession negotiations, a situation brought into sharp focus ahead of two summits scheduled for March.

Ukraine's push for EU membership is seen as a significant response to Russia's invasion, yet the extent and speed of the accession process remain contentious issues among the 27 member states.

At least six EU member states, including Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, advocate for a swift opening of as many negotiating chapters as possible, ideally all, as emphasized by Jessica Rosencrantz, Sweden’s Minister for European Affairs, during a recent General Affairs Council meeting.

These states express a desire for the EU to honor its commitments to Ukraine and expedite the accession process by March.

Poland, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, supports the call for accelerated negotiations but urges caution.

Adam Szlapka, Poland’s Minister for the European Union, reiterated a commitment to supporting Ukraine’s EU ambitions while acknowledging the lack of consensus within the bloc.

"There is no unanimity in this regard, and therefore, I am not going to commit to any dates,” he stated, indicating the challenges in reaching a unified position among member states.

Discussions among EU leaders are complicated by concerns surrounding territorial integrity and the status of regions affected by conflict.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently raised questions regarding the clarity of Ukraine's borders due to ongoing disputes, particularly in the Donbas region and Crimea.

Szlapka reiterated that the EU recognizes Ukraine's borders as they were before the 2014 war, aligning with broader peace process discussions involving key international stakeholders.

As the EU grapples with these issues, the upcoming summits will likely serve as pivotal moments for further negotiations and a deeper exploration of Ukraine's aspirations for integration into the European structure.