Ekhbary News Agency
Brussels —
The European Union officially launched the initial phase of accession negotiations with Ukraine on Monday, a pivotal move delayed by two years due to former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's previous obstruction. This development significantly advances Kyiv's ambition to join the 27-member bloc, an idea invigorated by Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. For what it's worth, the recent agreement between Hungary's new Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, and Ukraine regarding ethnic Hungarian minority rights appears to have cleared Budapest's veto.
Read Also
- UN Urges Drone Regulation in Conflict Zones Amid War Crime Concerns
- Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas Calls for Elections in November 2026 and Early 2027
- UK Imposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s, Citing Youth Unhappiness
- B-52 Bomber Crash at California Base: 8 Feared Dead
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: Leaked Specs and Photos Emerge
Leaders Affirm Historic Step
European Council President Antonio Costa hailed this as "a historic step towards Ukraine's future within the EU," emphasizing the G7's role in achieving lasting peace. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the opening of the first "negotiating cluster" as a "huge step forward," commending Ukraine's progress on reforms, particularly in anti-corruption and rule of law. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking from Chisinau, Moldova, declared the development "sends a clear message that Europe's progress cannot be stopped," highlighting strong bilateral support with Moldova on their shared EU path.
Complex Path to Full Membership
Prospective EU members must align with the bloc's standards across numerous areas, structured into six "clusters" containing 33 chapters, plus two additional chapters. The "fundamentals" cluster, covering judiciary, fundamental rights, and economic criteria, is always the first to open and the last to close. The entire process demands unanimous agreement from all member states, the European Commission, and the European Parliament at each stage. Historically, such accession bids, like those of Croatia or Turkey, often span years, if not decades. This formal initiation of talks signals a robust commitment from the EU to integrate Ukraine, strategically bolstering its eastern flank against ongoing geopolitical pressures.
