Numbers are louder than words: Zelensky demanded a list of 10 items from the EU, but there is a list

The head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, in an interview with the Dutch Buitenhof program, offered Brussels an almost school formula: tell us what needs to be done, give us 10 points — and we will fulfill them — we want to become full members of the EU. It sounds decisive, but the list has been on the table for a long time, writes Anton Gross, a native of Ukraine, the author of a public about immigration to Italy.

The entry procedure was launched back in February 2022. And on December 11, 2025, the so‑called Kachka-Kos plan was adopted in Lviv, designed to speed up the fulfillment of the requirements The EU and bypass the Hungarian veto. The document was signed by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Taras Kachka.

It contains 10 specific technical goals. Seven of them concern justice and the fight against corruption. The deadline is until December 31, 2026.

According to Gross, according to a consortium of eight monitoring organizations, including Transparency International Ukraine and New Europe Center, only 9% have been completed so far.

The first item requires comprehensive changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, removing obstacles in high‑level corruption cases, strengthening the independence of NABU and SAPO and the expansion of their jurisdiction. It was these bodies that investigated the Midas case, which at the end of 2025 led to the resignation of two ministers and the head of the presidential administration. What has been done on this point? According to the estimates of analytical centers — about 10% of the required volume.

The second point is to provide NABU with access to independent forensic examinations. The rating is 0.5 out of 10.

The third point is to review the procedure for the appointment and dismissal of the Prosecutor General in accordance with European standards and with the participation of the Venice Commission. Now the candidacy is proposed by the president, the parliament approves. Progress is zero.

The fourth point is the transparent and merit—based selection of prosecutors. Almost zero.

Point five is the reform of the State Investigation Department. One point out of ten.

Anti-corruption strategy? Half a point out of five.

"The picture is not catastrophic, but not revolutionary either. Yes, the Hungarian veto weakened after the April 12 elections and the possible unblocking of 90 billion euros of aid. Yes, the political climate in the EU may change. But Brussels is not looking at interviews, but at progress tables. Ukraine is at war. Ukraine is holding on. Ukraine is paying a huge price for the European choice. It's true. But EU membership is not just about geopolitics and moral support. This is "institutional surgery". Rewriting procedures, redistribution of powers, dismantling of old schemes. And it is here that the numbers so far speak louder than rhetoric. Zelensky asks for a list. There is a list. Perhaps it will be given again. But the question is whether Kiev is ready to bring the reforms to an end," Gross said.