Von der Leyen: Ukraine fulfilled nearly all EU accession requirements

Ukraine has almost completely fulfilled the requirements needed to join the European Union, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday during a visit to Kyiv.

"They are already well over 90% of the way there," von der Leyen said told members of the Ukrainian parliament. Much greater progress had already been made than could be expected of a country at war.

Ukraine is carrying out far-reaching reforms, she said. But an even stronger fight against corruption, new laws on lobbying activities and stricter regulations on asset declarations are measures that are indispensable, von der Leyen added.

On Wednesday, the European Commission president intends to present reports on Ukraine's reform progress. The European heads of state and government then want to make a decision on the possible start of EU accession negotiations in December, based on these reports.

Ukraine has been an official candidate country since last summer.

However, the 27 EU member states still have to unanimously agree on the start of negotiations. A positive vote should be given when Ukraine has fulfilled seven requirements. These include reform of the selection procedure for Ukrainian constitutional judges and a stronger fight against corruption - particularly at a high level.

The EU is also demanding that Ukraine meet standards in the fight against money laundering and that a law against the excessive influence of oligarchs is implemented.