EU formally launches Ukraine accession talks after Hungary drops veto
Story Timeline
4 months · 2 summary articles
EU formally launches Ukraine accession talks after Hungary drops veto
EU unlocks Ukraines accession talks after Hungary lifts veto
Follow-up
The European Union formally launched accession negotiations with Ukraine on Monday, marking the first concrete step toward Kyiv’s long-sought goal of EU membership since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The talks, which opened during the second EU Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, focus initially on Cluster 1—covering justice, freedom, and fundamental rights—the backbone of the accession process .
EU leaders framed the move as both a strategic and symbolic victory. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it “a key milestone in Ukraine’s EU accession journey,” while EU Council President António Costa described the negotiations as a step toward a “stronger, more secure and more influential Europe” . The breakthrough followed Hungary’s decision to drop its veto, ending a two-year blockade that had stalled the process. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s new leadership reversed the previous government’s opposition, allowing the talks to proceed .
The negotiations come as Ukraine continues to fight Russia’s war, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizing that the talks send a powerful signal of European solidarity. “This is not just about accession—it is about Ukraine’s future as a free and sovereign nation,” Zelenskyy said in a statement released Monday . Meanwhile, EU officials stressed that the process will require years of reforms, with Cluster 1 negotiations expected to take months before moving to subsequent chapters on governance, economy, and sectoral policies.
Analysts note that the talks also carry geopolitical weight, reinforcing Ukraine’s Western orientation amid ongoing hostilities. “This is a critical moment for the EU’s enlargement policy,” said Jana Puglierin of the European Council on Foreign Relations. “It demonstrates that the bloc remains committed to supporting Ukraine, even as the war grinds on.” The EU simultaneously announced new sanctions against Russia, further isolating Moscow diplomatically .
While the formal negotiations have begun, the path to EU membership remains arduous. Past enlargements, such as Croatia’s 2013 accession, took over a decade from initial talks to final ratification. Yet for Ukraine, the symbolic value of Monday’s launch is undeniable—a tangible sign of progress amid the devastation of war. As the European Commission noted, “Today, we are launching talks on the backbone of the accession process” .
Follow us for live European news
- 5
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
4 further sources not geolocated
Articles
A key milestone in Ukraines EU accession journey 🇺🇦🇪🇺 Today, negotiations on Cluster 1 (Fundamentals) were opened. A successful enlargement process benefits both Ukraine and the EU, helping build a stronger, more secure and more influential Europe. More info ➡️ link.europa.eu/4FBYNd
bluesky bot · 3 months ago
EU opens first negotiating cluster in Ukraines accession talks On Monday 15 June, during the second EU Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, the European Union officially announced the launch of negotiations with Kyiv under the first negotiating cluster, formally marking the start of Ukraines EU accession talks.
ukrpravda · 3 months ago
Commissioner Kos calls launch of Ukraines accession talks long-awaited step for EU European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has said she considered the decision to launch accession negotiations with Ukraine a long-awaited and highly significant step for the European Union.
ukrpravda · 3 months ago
+++ Ukraine-Krieg +++: EU beginnt Beitrittsverhandlungen mit Ukraine Merz: „Fenster für die Diplomatie kann sich öffnen +++ Russische Exilpartei fordert Abzug aus der Ukraine +++ Russland dementiert Angriff auf Höhlenkloster +++ Der Newsblog.
handelsblatt · 3 months ago
Außenminister in Luxemburg: EU beginnt Beitrittsverhandlungen mit Ukraine Nach zweijähriger Zwangspause kommt in den Prozess zum EU-Beitritt der Ukraine wieder Bewegung. Für die Parteien steht viel auf dem Spiel - auch wegen des anhaltenden russischen Kriegs.
handelsblatt · 3 months ago
EU-Erweiterung: EU nimmt Beitrittsgespräche mit Ukraine und Moldau auf Kommissionspräsidentin von der Leyen spricht von einem „großen Schritt nach vorn. Dabei stehen aber noch viele große Schritte aus. mehr...
taz.de · 3 months ago
EU-Beitrittsverhandlungen: EU beginnt Beitrittsverhandlungen mit Ukraine In Luxemburg haben Vertreter der EU und der Ukraine die ersten Gespräche zum EU-Beitritt des Landes begonnen. Der Fokus liegt zunächst auf Justiz und Sicherheit.
die zeit · 3 months ago
EU beginnt Beitrittsverhandlungen mit Ukraine
orf.at · 3 months ago
Krieg in der Ukraine: EU und Ukraine starten Beitrittsverhandlungen Nach zweijähriger Blockade durch Ungarn beginnen am Abend in Luxemburg offiziell die ersten Gespräche. Auch Moldau ist ein Kandidat für einen Beitritt.
sueddeutsche · 3 months ago
EU and Ukraine open first phase of accession talks
news.yahoo.com · 3 months ago
Ukraine enters first stage of EU membership negotiations
news.yahoo.com · 3 months ago
Opinion: The future of the China-US-Russia triangle after Pelosis visit to Taiwan Since February 24, 2022, the international communitys focus was concentrated entirely on the war in Ukraine and the growing Russia – West confrontation. It seemed that nothing could change the situation until the end of hostilities in Ukraine. However, on August 2 and 3, almost everyones attention shifted from Ukraine to Taiwan. As the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, stated her intention to visit Taiwan, up to half a million people were watching the trajectory of her plane on air flight tracking sites. The negative reaction of China, including the warning of President Xi during his conversation with President Biden that those who played with fire would be perished by it, created hype around this visit. Many were discussing the possibility of Chinese military jets closing the airspace over Taiwan and preventing Pelosis plane from landing in Taiwan, while some enthusiasts were even contemplating the possibility of a US-China direct military clash. As Pelosi landed in Taiwan and met with the Taiwanese President, the global social media was full of amateur assessments about the strategic victory of the US and the confirmation of the US global hegemony. However, as the dust settles down, and information noise and manipulation eventually decreases, a more serious assessment is needed to understand the real consequences of this visit.
commonspace · 3 months ago
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump says Moscow deal could be next after talks with Putin and Zelensky The US president was speaking immediately after announcing that he had signed a memorandum to bring an end to the Iran war
independent · 3 months ago
EU starts membership talks with Ukraine Accession process moves ahead after Hungarys new leadership drops its veto
financial times · 3 months ago
CPMR welcomes EUs ambitious new islands strategy The EUs newly announced islands strategy has been hailed as a welcome and historic step. The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday, marks the first attempt to give Europes islands and coastal areas a more coherent policy framework. The European Commission formally adopted two dedicated strategies, one for EU islands and one for EU coastal communities. This […]
brussels morning · 3 months ago
#EU agrees to launch membership talks with #Ukraine next week | AP News
mastodon bot · 3 months ago
As Timothy Garton Ash argues, if the British really do want to rejoin the European Union then they need to first actually understand what the EU is & does;unlike last time, this time membership will not be a special affair in which we get to ignore aspects of the EU as we see fit; to rejoin we have to actually demonstrate why we should be members (again), and for our current political class that is going to be a bi of a challenge.#EU #Brexit
mastodon bot · 3 months ago
#news ⚡ EU startet offiziell Beitrittsverhandlungen mit Ukraine: Die Europäische Union hat am Montag die Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Ukraine offiziell begonnen.EU-Ratspräsident Antonio Costa sprac... | #eu #ukraine #hubu
mastodon bot · 3 months ago
The #EU would pay a high price if it lets down #Ukraine on membership🖊️ Benjamin FoxIf EU leaders arent going to be able to make good on Ukraines wish to join the bloc within 18 months, wouldnt it be better to seriously look at associate membership for Kyiv and others?
mastodon bot · 3 months ago
⚡️Breaking: EU opens 1st negotiation cluster for Ukraine, Moldova. "Today, were launching talks on the backbone of the accession process: including justice, freedom, and fundamental rights," the European Commission said.
bluesky bot · 3 months ago
European Commission president: Financing for Ukraine will be one of key topics at G7 summit European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that G7 leaders at the summit in Évian will discuss how to cover the part of Ukraines financial needs for 2026-2027 that is not covered by the EUs loan package.
ukrpravda · 3 months ago
EU-Beitrittsverhandlungen mit Ukraine: Abhängigkeit auf beiden Seiten Die Europäische Union nimmt an diesem Montag Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Ukraine auf. Ein gewagter, aber notwendiger Schritt in Kriegszeiten. mehr...
taz.de · 3 months ago
Ukraine und Moldau: Die EU beginnt Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Ukraine Nachdem Ungarn sein Veto aufgegeben hat, eröffnet die EU die Beitrittsgespräche mit der Ukraine – und die EU-Außenminister beschließen neue Sanktionen gegen Russland.
faz · 3 months ago
Außenminister in Luxemburg: EU beginnt Beitrittsverhandlungen mit Ukraine
die zeit · 3 months ago
Ukraine to start EU membership talks, ushering in years of reforms
gdeltproject.org · 3 months ago