European Parliament Backs Ukraine and Moldova EU Accession

The European Parliament voted on July 8, 2026, to welcome the reform efforts of both Ukraine and Moldova, supporting their paths toward European Union membership. The Parliament praised Ukraine's progress in anti-corruption and judicial reforms, welcoming the opening of the first fundamental cluster of accession negotiations in June 2026. It also called for predictable financial support for Ukraine's recovery and defense, while rejecting U.S. pressure for the country to hold elections under martial law.

Simultaneously, the Parliament adopted a report praising Moldova for steady progress in its justice sector. Members urged the opening of all remaining negotiation clusters and supported Moldova's efforts to achieve energy independence from Russia. The body further demanded that Russia withdraw military personnel and equipment from Transnistria to respect Moldova's territorial integrity.

Despite the support for integration, the Parliament approved an amendment criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for renaming an elite military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The move triggered a diplomatic rift with Poland, where the group is associated with the Volyn massacre. In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle, and the Ukrainian president was replaced by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk. The Parliament described the renaming as an unnecessary escalation and a warning that Ukraine must respect European values and common rules to join the Union.