The EU will begin accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards their membership. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Moldovan President Sandu expressed gratitude and optimism, viewing EU membership as a path to peace and prosperity. The negotiations, starting in Luxembourg, follow the EU's confirmation that both countries meet the necessary requirements. This move comes ahead of Hungary's upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU.
EU leaders have approved the opening of accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing the country a step closer to EU membership. The decision comes after the European Commission deemed that Bosnia had made sufficient progress in aligning with EU standards and values. While some EU member states had expressed concerns about the country's readiness, the move was welcomed by Bosnian officials and is seen as a key step forward. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only Western Balkan country yet to enter formal accession negotiations, and its bid is supported by a group of countries known as the 'friends of Bosnia'.
Ukraine has received approval from EU leaders to begin official talks to join the European Union, after Hungary dropped its veto threat. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had been opposing the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine, citing concerns about corruption, minority rights, and the influence of oligarchs. However, Orban left the room during the vote, allowing the remaining 26 member states to approve the talks. EU accession negotiations can take years or even decades to complete. Hungary also prevented the approval of €50 billion in financing for Ukraine, postponing further discussions until January.
The European Union has approved the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, as well as granting candidate status to Georgia, despite Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's abstention. The decision is seen as a rebuke to Russia's attempts to exert control in the region. The approval is a significant victory for Ukraine, which has been battling against Russian forces, and Moldova, which sees it as a new chapter. The next step is to draft a negotiating framework, with full membership potentially taking years. The EU leaders are also discussing the revision of the bloc's common budget, including a €50 billion fund to support Ukraine.
European leaders have approved the opening of accession negotiations for Ukraine, bypassing the opposition of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The decision comes at a critical time for Ukraine as its counteroffensive against Russia's invasion has stalled and aid from the US is stuck in Congress. While the talks are expected to continue for years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed it as a victory for Ukraine. Orbán criticized the agreement reached without him, but EU officials maintain that the decision was legally valid. EU leaders also approved the opening of accession negotiations for Moldova.
A survey conducted ahead of the European Council summit reveals that more Europeans support Ukraine joining the European Union than oppose it, with Denmark and Poland showing the highest levels of support. The survey also found that newer EU members were more open to enlargement than older members. However, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to push back against opening negotiations with Kyiv. The European Council is set to discuss accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova, with the European Commission recommending last month that formal discussions begin.
Hungary has stated that it will not yield to pressure from other EU member states to approve accession talks with Ukraine, setting the stage for a showdown at an EU summit this week. Ukraine is hoping for the green light for membership talks and increased financial and military aid to defend against Russia's invasion. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has threatened to veto the aid and enlargement talks. While some EU states support starting negotiations with Ukraine, Hungary remains firm in its stance. The outcome of the summit will have significant consequences for Ukraine and the EU's ability to follow through on historical commitments.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has reiterated his opposition to Ukraine's accession talks with the EU, stating that it does not align with Hungary's national interests. Orbán called for a "strategic partnership" between the EU and Ukraine before considering membership negotiations. Hungary has threatened to block further financial and military aid to Ukraine and halt its accession bid. Orbán suggested that EU countries should provide aid to Ukraine from their national budgets instead of the EU budget. Ukrainian officials remain optimistic about overcoming Hungary's opposition and starting accession talks.
The European Union is set to release a report on Ukraine's progress towards fulfilling the criteria for EU membership, with the possibility of formal accession talks if the requirements are met. While Ukraine has made significant progress, concerns remain regarding the issue of deoligarchization and the influence of powerful oligarchs in the political system. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's stance on language rights for minorities, particularly Hungarian minorities in Ukraine, could also pose a potential obstacle. EU leaders will discuss the report at a December summit, where unanimous agreement is required to proceed with membership negotiations.
The European Union's executive is set to present an assessment of Ukraine's progress in its membership bid on November 8, which will be a crucial factor in the bloc's decision on whether to start accession talks with Kyiv. A positive recommendation is expected for Ukraine, possibly with additional conditions related to fighting corruption and protecting minority rights. Similar recommendations could also come for Moldova, while the status of Georgia as a formal candidate is still uncertain. The EU is considering providing additional financial assistance to the Western Balkans, including Ukraine, through a review of the bloc's shared budget.
The European Union is expected to announce in December that it will open negotiations with Ukraine on its future accession to the bloc. Ukraine was granted candidate status for EU membership in June, and the Commission is set to issue a progress report in November. While Ukraine has not yet met all the required conditions, leaders are likely to make a political statement authorizing negotiations in December, with a legal decision on admitting Ukraine potentially happening by early 2024.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that "very difficult questions" must be addressed before the European Union can begin membership talks with Ukraine. Orban expressed concerns about admitting a country to the EU without knowing the full extent of its territory and population due to the ongoing war. He has previously clashed with Ukraine over the rights of ethnic Hungarians and has vowed not to support Ukraine on any international issue until their language rights are restored. Hungary, a NATO member, opposes Russia's invasion of Ukraine but has refused to provide weapons to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged EU leaders to address "five delays" in their support, including the delay in providing modern warplanes and long-range missiles to help push back Moscow's forces. He also called for more sanctions on Russia and increased support for Ukraine's peace plan and membership bid in the EU. Zelenskyy gave an emotional account of the devastation he had seen during his visit to the war-torn east of Ukraine and stressed the need for EU leaders to act quickly to prevent the war from dragging on.
