EU Grants Ukraine Membership Talks Amidst War, Bypassing Objections

European Union leaders have agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine, bringing the war-torn nation one step closer to EU membership. The surprise announcement by EU summit chair Charles Michel also included the decision to start accession negotiations with Moldova. Despite Hungary's pledge to block the decision, the agreement was reached during the EU summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed it as a victory, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the move.