Ukraine and Moldova Launch First Phase of EU Membership Negotiations

On Monday, senior EU officials and ministers from Ukraine and Moldova gathered in Luxembourg to launch the first phase of membership negotiations. Both countries, once part of the Soviet Union, received candidate status in 2022 shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Although talks were symbolically opened in June 2024, they were blocked by Hungary's then-president Viktor Orbán. After Hungary's government change in April, EU member states unanimously agreed last Friday to open the "first cluster," covering rule of law and democracy. This allows negotiations on other areas such as the single market, environment, and social policy. EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa praised the reform efforts of both countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the opening significant moral support. Heather Grabbe, a former EU enlargement adviser, noted the talks are a reality check, as adopting EU laws will take time and resources. While Ukraine has made high-profile arrests, like that of chief of staff Andriy Yermak on corruption charges, only 15% of the ten-point reform plan agreed last December has been completed. EU officials estimate technical talks could take about four years. A proposal by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for "associate membership" has not gained traction. Grabbe argued the EU should prioritise integrating Ukraine into security and defence policy due to its strong military.