EU Agrees to Launch Membership Talks With Ukraine and Moldova

The European Union has agreed to open the first substantive round of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on June 15. The decision follows Hungary lifting its long-standing veto.

Hungary's new government under Péter Magyar withdrew the veto after April elections and an agreement with Kyiv on ethnic Hungarian minority rights. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement confirming that all EU member states consented to the move.

The decision recognizes reforms undertaken by both countries. Ukraine and Moldova were granted EU candidate status in 2022. Accession talks with Ukraine formally began in June 2024, and the next round will focus on rule of law, judicial reforms, and democratic governance.

Officials have stated that full membership remains a lengthy process expected to take 10 to 15 years. Completion of all negotiating chapters and unanimous approval from member states will be required.