The European Union has agreed to formally begin the next stage of membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, marking a significant milestone in both countries’ long-standing ambitions to join the bloc.
EU ambassadors reached the decision during a meeting in Brussels on Friday, paving the way for official accession talks to commence in Luxembourg next week.
The move comes after months of delay caused by opposition from Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had blocked progress on Ukraine’s bid. However, Hungary’s new government led by Peter Magyar recently lifted the veto following discussions with Kyiv.
In a joint statement, António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen described the decision as recognition of the reforms and commitment demonstrated by both countries despite challenging circumstances.
They emphasized that EU enlargement remains a strategic priority, particularly at a time of increasing global uncertainty.
For Ukraine, the development carries strong political and symbolic importance as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing invasion. Both Ukraine and Moldova view EU membership as a crucial step toward strengthening their security, economic stability and integration with Europe.
The accession process officially began in June 2024 but has moved slowly due to political disagreements among member states. The negotiations involve extensive reforms across multiple sectors, including governance, justice, agriculture, trade and human rights.
The first phase of talks, known as the “fundamentals” cluster, will focus on key democratic principles such as the rule of law, judicial independence, anti-corruption measures and public administration reforms.
While Hungary has allowed negotiations to proceed, Prime Minister Magyar has indicated that his country does not support any fast-track route for Ukraine’s membership and has suggested that a national referendum would be held before Hungary approves Ukraine’s eventual entry into the EU.
The decision represents a major diplomatic victory for both Ukraine and Moldova as they continue efforts to secure full membership in the European Union, a process that could still take many years to complete.
