Ukraine and Moldova are reportedly preparing to enter the first formal stages of European Union membership negotiations after Hungary signaled it may no longer block Kyiv’s path.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Ukraine is expected to begin the first formal negotiation phase of its European Union membership bid in mid-June, a development that could also help move Moldova’s accession process forward after both countries applied to join the bloc in early 2022.
The expected step would begin Ukraine’s first negotiation cluster with Brussels, part of the broader E.U. accession process in which candidate countries work through clusters and chapters to bring domestic laws into alignment with E.U. standards.
The move follows signs that Hungary may end its opposition to Ukraine’s bid. For years, Kyiv’s pursuit of E.U. membership faced resistance from the government of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. But unnamed diplomatic sources told Politico that the government of Prime Minister Péter Magyar has privately shown “openness” to lifting Hungary’s veto after a meeting this week between Ukrainian and Hungarian human rights experts.
One diplomat told Politico that Ukrainian representatives offered “assurances” on how most of the concerns raised under the Orbán government could be addressed. The diplomat also said Budapest’s approval was not dependent on Ukraine passing new legislation.
“Negotiations are ongoing. No agreement has been reached,” an unnamed Hungarian official told Politico on condition of anonymity.
Ukraine’s leadership has continued to reject proposals that would give the country anything less than full E.U. membership. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine’s place in the bloc must be “complete, full and equal,” opposing any arrangement that would leave Kyiv short of full member status.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly proposed an “Associate Member” position that would allow Ukraine to take part in some E.U. functions and receive certain benefits, but without voting rights. Zelensky rejected that approach, and Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, later said there was no “alternative” for Ukraine other than a “fast-tracked” accession path.
Kachka has described E.U. membership as the “starting point” for discussions about Ukraine’s future. Ukraine has also faced criticism over corruption and other unresolved issues, leaving the country with significant work ahead as it pursues membership.
Moldova, which submitted its E.U. application within days of Ukraine in early 2022, is also seeking to advance through the accession process. On Tuesday, the European Commission and Moldova reaffirmed their commitment to reforms aligned with Moldova’s membership ambitions after a meeting between Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu and Moldovan officials.
“Moldova is advancing steadily on its European path, with concrete progress in education, employment and social rights. Through our cooperation, the EU is investing in people: in better skills, quality jobs, equal opportunities, and stronger support for children and families,” Mînzatu said.
“This is about alignment with EU standards and moving forward, because a stronger Moldova also means a stronger Europe,” she continued.
The European Commission also said on social media that Moldova is moving ahead with its E.U. efforts.
“Moldova is advancing steadily on its European path,” the commission said. “We will continue to strengthen E.U. – Moldova collaboration in the areas of education, employment and social policies, which are crucial for Moldova’s reform efforts and its aspirations to join the E.U.”
Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Osmochescu told Euractiv that Moldova still aims to sign an E.U. accession treaty by the end of 2028. He said that if Moldova does not join the bloc by then, the country has a “Plan B” involving reunification with Romania, which became an E.U. member in 2007.
“There is a cost,” Osmochescu told Euractiv. “It will have to be absorbed by Romania and by the EU. But the cost wouldn’t be as huge as the one in terms of the former [East and West] Germanies when they unified.”
The reported shift from Budapest could mark a major procedural opening for Ukraine and Moldova as both governments seek to move deeper into formal negotiations with Brussels. While the accession process remains lengthy and politically sensitive, the expected start of Ukraine’s first negotiation cluster would represent a new stage in Kyiv’s effort to secure full E.U. membership.
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