EU resumes Ukraine and Moldova accession talks after Hungary lifts veto

The European Union has formally agreed to recommence accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, with talks set to begin in Luxembourg on Monday. The decision follows a meeting of ambassadors from the 27 member states in Brussels on Friday, marking the end of a diplomatic impasse that had stalled the process since late 2023.

The pause in negotiations was driven by opposition from Hungary’s previous administration under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. However, the new Hungarian government, which took power in May, agreed last week to withdraw its veto. This shift allows the EU to proceed with the first phase of talks, which will focus on the “fundamentals” cluster covering core principles such as the rule of law.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement praising the reforms undertaken by Kyiv and Chisinau. They described the move as a recognition of the determination and hard work shown by both nations, adding that enlargement remains a strategic choice for a larger European Union in an era of growing global uncertainty.

The resolution of the stalemate came after Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar struck a deal with Kyiv regarding the rights of Ukraine’s Hungarian ethnic minority, a long-standing point of contention between the neighbours. Despite lifting the veto, Magyar has clarified that Hungary does not support a fast-track procedure for Ukraine’s membership.

Budapest has indicated it plans to hold a referendum on Ukraine’s EU membership if the country succeeds in closing all 33 accession chapters within the next 10 to 15 years. The initial opening of talks in June 2024 was largely symbolic, intended as a show of support following Russia’s full-scale invasion, but the current phase marks the beginning of a complex, multi-year negotiation process.

Both Ukraine and Moldova view EU membership as a crucial security measure against Russian aggression, while Moscow considers maintaining control over its “near abroad” to be central to its national security. The accession process involves extensive negotiations across various sectors, including agriculture and institutional governance, with the timeline for potential membership remaining uncertain.