EU resumes Ukraine and Moldova accession talks Monday after Hungary's veto lifted

The restart

On Friday 12 June, EU member states agreed to open the first negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday 15 June. The announcement was made jointly by the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

“All member states have agreed to open the first 'cluster' of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. This is a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work both countries have shown in advancing reforms, despite immense challenges.”

The first cluster concerns the fundamental values and principles both countries must respect to join the EU. In total, six clusters covering dozens of chapters must be negotiated, so Brussels can verify that candidates have adopted the entire EU acquis, from environment to agriculture and the internal market.

Lifting the Hungarian veto

The process had been blocked for months by a Hungarian veto. Viktor Orbán's government opposed Ukraine's accession and had halted discussions that formally began in 2024, soon after Russia's full-scale invasion. The deadlock broke after the election in April of Orbán's main opponent Peter Magyar, which led Budapest to lift its veto.

Although Moldova was not directly targeted by the Hungarian veto, its accession talks had been bundled with Ukraine's, so progress was also frozen for Chișinău. The resumption now opens the path for both countries.

Reactions from Kyiv and Chișinău

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the move as a significant political and moral support for his country.

“As we have said, Ukraine is doing what is necessary, and it is important that the EU also keeps its word. The opening of the first cluster represents significant political and moral support for our state and our people.”

Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that Moldova is ready to open all negotiation chapters and will continue implementing reforms.

Language law in Ukraine

In a separate but related move on Friday, President Zelensky signed a law withdrawing Russian's status as a protected language in Ukraine. Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said the law protects Ukraine's linguistic space and fulfills European obligations.

“The language of an aggressor state cannot benefit from protection instruments designed to support the languages of indigenous peoples and national communities.”

Russian remains legal, but the state is no longer required to provide public services in Russian and may restrict education in the language. Before the war, nearly a third of Ukraine's population had Russian as a primary language.

A long road ahead

Even if negotiations succeed, Ukraine's accession remains years away. It will require unanimous approval by all 27 member states and subsequent ratification by each national parliament or referendum. The resumption of talks is therefore an important step, but the path to membership remains demanding and conditional on continued reforms.