Hungary Drops Veto, Clearing Path for Ukraine's EU Membership Talks

The European Union will restart membership negotiations with Ukraine on Monday after Hungary's new government lifted a veto that had blocked talks since December 2023. EU ambassadors from all 27 member states agreed Friday in Brussels to formally recommence accession discussions with Ukraine and Moldova in Luxembourg, according to a joint statement from European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The resumption marks a dramatic reversal. Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had blocked Ukraine's accession process for months, frustrating EU leaders who saw the membership bid as a crucial show of support for Kyiv during Russia's ongoing war. Hungary's new government, which took power in May, agreed last week to drop that veto.

The dispute centered on Hungary's concerns about the rights of Ukraine's ethnic Hungarian minority. New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar struck a deal with Kyiv on this issue last week, removing what had long been a source of tension between the neighboring countries. Costa and von der Leyen said the agreement reflected "the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges."

While Hungary agreed to lift its veto, Magyar has signaled Budapest will not support an accelerated timeline for Ukraine's entry. He said Hungary will hold a referendum on Ukraine's membership if the country succeeds in closing all 33 accession chapters within the next 10 to 15 years. This means the formal process could take considerably longer than some Ukrainian officials might prefer, though negotiations can now proceed without obstruction.

Negotiations will begin Monday with the opening of the "fundamentals" section, which covers basic principles such as rule of law that candidate countries must adhere to. The accession process involves negotiations on everything from agriculture to judicial independence and typically spans years.

Both Ukraine and Moldova view EU membership as essential protection against Russian aggression. The Kremlin has long insisted that maintaining control over what it calls its "near abroad" is central to Russian national security. The resumption of talks signals the EU's commitment to expanding eastward despite Moscow's opposition.