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The European Union will resume membership negotiations with Ukraine on Monday after Hungary lifted its long-standing veto on Kyiv's accession process, the bloc announced Friday.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint social media statement that all member states had agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with both Ukraine and Moldova.
The breakthrough follows a policy shift by Hungary's new government, which dropped the objections maintained by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose administration had consistently blocked progress on Ukraine's EU membership bid.
"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," Costa and von der Leyen said.
"Enlargement is a strategic choice," they added. "In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger European Union is in our common interest."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision, describing it as an important sign of support from the European Union.
"Ukraine is defending itself and, in doing so, all of Europe," Zelensky said.
"As we have said, Ukraine is doing what is necessary, and it is important that the EU is also keeping its word. The opening of the first cluster is significant political and moral support for our state and our people," he added.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu also welcomed the announcement, saying her country was prepared to move forward with the process.
"I welcome the decision to open the first cluster of accession negotiations on Monday. Moldova is ready to open all of them — we've done the work, and we'll keep delivering reforms," Sandu said.
The opening of accession negotiations had been formally approved in June 2024, but concrete progress stalled after Hungary, under Orban, blocked further steps, citing concerns, including the rights of Ukraine's Hungarian minority.
Hungary's new Prime Minister Peter Magyar lifted the veto after reaching an agreement with Kyiv on minority rights issues.
However, Magyar emphasized that his government does not support any accelerated path to EU membership for Ukraine and said any eventual accession should follow the bloc's standard procedures.
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He also said Hungary would hold a referendum on Ukraine's membership if Kyiv succeeds in completing all 33 negotiating chapters over the next decade or more.
"The opening of the first negotiation cluster is only the first step in a long and complex process," Magyar said, pointing to Montenegro's accession negotiations, which began in 2012 but have yet to result in membership.
The first negotiating cluster to be opened Monday focuses on the "fundamentals" of EU accession, covering issues such as the rule of law, democratic institutions, public administration and related reforms.
The launch marks a new phase in Ukraine's long-term bid to join the 27-member bloc, although the accession process is expected to take years and involve negotiations across dozens of policy areas.
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