Hungary lifts veto, Ukraine EU accession talks set to begin on Monday
The European Union will formally resume membership negotiations with Ukraine on Monday after Hungary's new government lifted a long-standing veto imposed under former prime minister Viktor Orban. Moldova will also enter the first phase of accession talks.
European Council President António Costa told reporters in Brussels: "All member states have agreed to open negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on the first cluster". The Fundamentals cluster covers judicial independence, anti-corruption and fundamental rights.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said in Budapest before travelling to Brussels: "Blocking Ukraine's path to the EU is no longer a priority of Hungarian foreign policy". The remark formally signals the end of the Orban veto era.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the decision "a historic day" in a post on X. The Commission estimates accession typically takes 7-10 years to complete; Turkey's process began in 1999. Not investment advice.
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