Transformation of the European Union institutional system in the context of enlargement: challenges for Ukraine's integration strategy

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive theoretical, methodological, and applied analysis of the transformation processes within the European Union's institutional system amidst preparations for large-scale enlargement within the 2024–2026 timeframe. The relevance of the study is driven by the need to synchronize Ukraine’s integration strategy with the dynamic shifts in the EU’s internal architecture, where the reform of «deepening» has become an essential prerequisite for the reform of «widening». The authors examine in detail the evolution of decision-making mechanisms in the Council of the EU, specifically justifying the trend of transitioning from the principle of unanimity toward the expanded use of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) as a means of preventing institutional paralysis in a Union of over 30 members. The study analyzes the content and implications of key documents – the European Commission’s Enlargement Packages – enabling the identification of new requirements for candidate countries within the «cluster approach». Particular attention is paid to Cluster 1, «Fundamentals», which dictates the pace of the entire negotiation process. The scientific novelty of the research lies in identifying specific barriers for Ukraine on its path to the EU Single Market, related to the adaptation of regulatory standards in the digital, energy, and agricultural sectors. The methodological framework is based on the principles of neo-institutionalism and systems analysis, which allowed for the identification of a correlation between the institutional capacity of Ukraine’s national authorities and the speed of passing through the stages of negotiating screening. It is proven that the successful implementation of Ukraine’s integration strategy depends not only on the pace of implementing the acquis communautaire but also on the Ukrainian political system's ability to adapt to a new model of flexible integration («multi-speed Europe»). The conclusions formulate practical recommendations for improving inter-sectoral coordination among ministries during accession preparations, which is of strategic importance for securing national interests in the process of achieving full EU membership.