But the EU set seven conditions - including on judicial reform and curbing endemic corruption - to launch accession negotiations.
Two senior EU officials who were briefed on the report, which has not been made public, said Ukraine has met two of the criteria by now.
The 27 member countries have the final say on whether and when to open membership talks with Kyiv.
To qualify, Ukraine would have to align its laws with many extensive EU standards ranging from climate to labour.
In practice, Ukraine's road to membership is bound to take years, and few believe the country can join while at war with Russia.
Persons:
Gabriela Baczynska, Mark Heinrich Our
Organizations:
EU, Ukraine, Kyiv's, Kyiv, Constitutional, Corruption, Thomson
Locations:
BRUSSELS, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv's Soviet, Brussels, Stockholm, Poland, Baltic, France, Germany, Netherlands