The European Union has agreed to advance Ukraine and Moldova to the next stage of their membership bids after Hungary signaled it would drop its long-standing veto against Kyiv, diplomats said on Wednesday.
Breakthrough in EU Accession Talks
Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, announced the decision on social media, calling it a significant milestone in the European integration path of Ukraine and Moldova. The move sends a strong message of EU unity and determination, the presidency stated.
The EU formally opened entry negotiations with Ukraine in June 2024, a largely symbolic step that marked the beginning of a complex process typically spanning years. However, actual progress had been blocked by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban until his ouster in April. His successor, Peter Magyar, indicated a willingness to move forward once Budapest's outstanding issues with Kyiv were resolved.
Historic Agreement on Minority Rights
A breakthrough came on Wednesday when Magyar announced a historic agreement with Ukraine regarding the rights of its Hungarian ethnic minority, a longstanding source of tension between the neighboring countries. Magyar stated that Budapest wanted Ukraine to amend its minority action plan, after which Hungary would consent to the opening of the first accession cluster in Ukraine's EU membership negotiations.
At a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Wednesday evening, multiple diplomats confirmed that Hungary had already signaled it would no longer block the opening of the so-called cluster of negotiating topics.
EU Enlargement Chief Marta Kos welcomed Magyar's announcement, stating that it opens the way for progress on the EU accession path of Ukraine. She wrote on X that this will allow member states to advance the work on opening the first negotiation cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.
Ukraine's EU Bid Since 2022 Invasion
Launched as a powerful statement days after Russia's 2022 invasion, Ukraine's bid for EU membership had since stuttered in the face of Hungarian opposition. Magyar emphasized that Hungary does not support a fast-track procedure for Ukraine to join the European Union. He also stated that the country would hold a referendum on Ukraine's membership should it succeed in closing all 33 accession chapters within the next 10 to 15 years.
The decision marks a significant step forward for both Ukraine and Moldova in their European integration journey, reinforcing the EU's commitment to enlargement despite ongoing challenges.
