EU Grants Ukraine Membership Talks Despite Opposition from Orban

European Union leaders have agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine, despite opposition from Hungary. The decision was announced at a summit of the 27 EU countries, where the bloc also agreed to open formal membership negotiations with Moldova. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed it as a victory for Ukraine and Europe, while European Council President Charles Michel called it a signal of hope. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who had promised to block the deal, called the decision irrational and inappropriate. The talks are expected to take years, and Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia poses challenges for EU membership.