Sunday, June 7Sunday, June 7Ukraine cleared a historic hurdle on Thursday when all 27 European Union member states agreed to open the first cluster of accession negotiations with Kyiv and Moldova, ending Hungary’s two-year veto after Budapest secured guarantees for the rights of its Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced the unanimous decision in Kyiv, confirming that the European Council had formally approved the launch of membership talks. The breakthrough follows a comprehensive agreement between Ukraine and Hungary on expanding linguistic, educational, cultural, and political rights for the approximately 100,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar framed the deal as a commitment to European values, telling *Le Monde* that Budapest would not obstruct Kyiv’s EU path provided Kyiv upheld its obligations.
The decision marks a dual victory for Ukraine: it unlocks frozen EU defense funds, including a blocked €40 billion reimbursement package for military expenditures, while paving the way for formal negotiations to begin within days. EU diplomats described the move as a signal of unity amid Russia’s ongoing war, with the Cyprus Presidency initiating preparations for the first negotiation cluster . Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha hailed the agreement as the start of a “new chapter” in bilateral relations, grounded in mutual respect .
Despite the progress, Budapest remains cautious about full membership. Magyar reiterated that Hungary opposes accelerated accession for Ukraine, emphasizing that the deal pertains only to the opening of negotiations. Meanwhile, Kyiv faces continued pressure to address minority rights swiftly, with EU officials warning that compliance will be closely monitored during the accession process.
The breakthrough arrives as Ukraine secures fresh military support, including a pending $400 million U.S. aid package and plans to deploy anti-drone experts to Romania and the Baltic states to bolster regional air defenses . NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, meeting with Zelensky in Kyiv, underscored the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine’s security, while warning Russian recruits of the risks of fighting in the war .
With the EU’s green light secured, Ukraine now turns to the arduous task of meeting the bloc’s accession criteria, even as the war rages on. The first negotiation cluster—expected to focus on fundamental rights, governance, and rule of law—will test Kyiv’s ability to translate political momentum into tangible reforms.
EU unlocks Ukraines accession talks after Hungary lifts veto
Türkiyes Fidan to visit Bangladesh for bilateral talks, Rohingya aid Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will pay an official two-day visit to Bangladesh starting Friday at the invitation of his counterpart Khalilur Rahman, with talks expected to cover bilateral trade expansion and Ankaras ongoing humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees in Coxs Bazar.
yenisafak · 3 days ago
Agreement reached with Ukraine on Hungarian minority rights, lifting EU accession veto – PM Magyar Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has announced that a comprehensive agreement has been reached with Ukraine on expanding the linguistic, educational, cultural, and political rights of the Hungarian minority, which numbers approximately 100,000 people.
ukrinform · 3 days ago
Sybiha announces new chapter in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine and Hungary are opening a new chapter in their bilateral relations based on mutual respect and trust.
ukrinform · 3 days ago
Zelenski anunță că Ucraina va trimite experți antidrone în România și statele baltice Preşedintele ucrainean Volodimir Zelenski a anunţat miercuri, la o conferinţă de presă comună la Kiev cu secretarul general al NATO Mark Rutte, că Ucraina va trimite grupuri de experţi în apărare aeriană antidrone în România şi în statele baltice pentru a le ajuta să îşi protejeze teritoriul în faţa incursiunilor dronelor folosite în războiul ruso-ucrainean.
digi24 · 3 days ago
Hungary Signals End To Ukraine EU Veto After Minority Rights Deal
gdeltproject.org · 3 days ago
US, South Korea hold nuclear talks in Seoul The United States and South Korea committed to accelerating nuclear cooperation during high-level bilateral talks in Seoul this week, with both sides pledging to deliver tangible outcomes on uranium enrichment and submarine development plans.
yenisafak · 3 days ago
Hungarian premier says Budapest may back Ukraines first EU accession cluster Peter Magyar said Hungary will support the opening of Ukraines first EU accession cluster provided Kyiv fulfills commitments to expand linguistic, educational and cultural rights for the 100,000-strong Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia, noting that Budapest continues to oppose accelerated membership for the war-torn country.
yenisafak · 3 days ago
Rubio says $400M Ukraine aid package announcement expected soon US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a Senate committee on Wednesday that Washington is finalizing a $400 million military aid package for Ukraine, adding that an official announcement is expected shortly once the proposal clears interagency review.
yenisafak · 3 days ago
Estonia has no clarity on rotating US unit, minister says Estonia has no clarity on future U.S. troop rotations, Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform) said on Wednesday, after it was reported that Lithuania does not know when its American forces will be replaced.
news.err · 3 days ago
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar to Le Monde: I was not elected simply to change the government, but to change the regime In an interview with Le Monde, Viktor Orbans successor explains how he plans to recover the frozen €16 billion in European funds earmarked for Hungary. He insists that Budapest will not block the opening of EU accession talks for Ukraine, provided that Kyiv guarantees the rights of its Hungarian minority.
le monde · 3 days ago
The Cyprus Presidency initiated the preparation for the formal opening of Cluster one in the accession negotiations of Ukraine and Moldova. This marks a significant milestone in their European integration path, and sends a strong message of EU unity and determination.
bluesky bot · 3 days ago
Avertismentul dur al șefului NATO, Mark Rutte, către tinerii ruși care vor să lupte în Ucraina: „Veți fi lăsați să muriți în noroi Secretarul general al NATO, Mark Rutte, a transmis un mesaj tinerilor ruși, spunând că, dacă vor fi răniți în Ucraina, vor fi „lăsați să sufere în noroi și să moară.
digi24 · 3 days ago
Foreign Minister Tsahkna to the Prime Minister of Ukraine: Ukraines accession to the EU is in the security interests of all Europe
gdeltproject.org · 3 days ago
Hungary Drops #Ukraine #EU Veto, Clearing Way for Accession Talks and €40 Billion Defense Fund🖊️ Vlad LitnarovychUkraines EU track gained momentum on two fronts at once: billions in blocked arms reimbursements are moving again, while Brussels begins preparing the first formal negotiation cluster for Kyivs membership bid.
mastodon bot · 3 days ago
⚡️ Update: All EU states back opening formal accession talks with Ukraine after Hungary deal. All 27 EU member states have given the green light to open the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on June 4.
bluesky bot · 3 days ago
US expected to approve $400M in military aid for Ukraine soon – Rubio The United States is nearing the completion of the approval process for a $400 million military aid package for Ukraine.
ukrinform · 3 days ago
Ukraine-NATO relations gaining new momentum ahead of Ankara summit – Sybiha Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a meeting with NATO allies at the Saint Sophia Cathedral National Reserve.
ukrinform · 3 days ago
Zelenski le-a dat oficialilor o săptămână pentru a finaliza acordul privind sistemele Patriot, sub amenințarea cu „măsuri disciplinare Președintele ucrainean Volodimir Zelenski a declarat că Ucraina a ajuns deja la un acord la nivel politic privind achiziționarea unor sisteme suplimentare de apărare aeriană Patriot, însă punerea în aplicare a acestuia s-a blocat la nivel juridic, financiar și tehnic. El le-a cerut oficialilor ucraineni să accelereze procesul și i-a avertizat că, în cazul în care nu se vor obține rezultate, ar putea avea loc schimbări de personal.
digi24 · 3 days ago