Ukraine's EU Accession Talks to Resume After Hungary Lifts Veto

The European Union announced on Friday that all member states have agreed to open the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, with talks set to resume on Monday. The decision comes after Hungary's new government dropped the veto imposed by its predecessor, former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who was ousted in April elections.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement in a joint social media post, stating: "This is a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges."

Orban's government, which was close to Russia, had long blocked progress on Ukraine's EU membership bid. The current Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar reached a deal with Kyiv on the rights of Ukraine's Hungarian ethnic minority, a longstanding issue between the neighbors. However, Magyar has said Hungary does not support a fast-track procedure for Ukraine's accession. He also indicated that if Ukraine succeeds in closing all 33 accession chapters within the next 10 to 15 years, Hungary will hold a referendum on the matter.

Formal entry negotiations with Ukraine began in June 2024, but were largely symbolic and stalled due to the Hungarian veto. Talks on Monday will start with the "fundamentals" section, covering basic principles such as the rule of law that candidate countries must adhere to.

Costa and von der Leyen emphasized that enlargement is a strategic choice, particularly in a world marked by growing uncertainty, and that a larger European Union serves the common interest.