Hungary's New Prime Minister Blocks Next Step in Ukraine's EU Accession Talks

Hungary has blocked a letter outlining the joint position of all 27 European Union member states regarding the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the bloc, Politico reported, citing two sources. The letter was the procedural next step after EU member states approved the opening of the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine's and Moldova's accession on June 15. Because the letter requires unanimous consent, the matter will be revisited next week.

The opening of the first negotiating cluster had long been blocked by Hungary's former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who opposed Ukraine's EU membership. His successor, Péter Magyar, did not object to the start of negotiations but insisted on removing the phrase "as soon as possible" in reference to Ukraine's membership. Last week, Magyar said Hungary did not think it was a good idea to open all six negotiating clusters simultaneously. "Partly because the ink on the first one isn't even dry yet," he said, "and partly because it would send the wrong message to the countries of the Western Balkans — Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia — [which] have spent years working toward EU membership."

EU member states have spent considerable time deliberating over the specifics of Ukraine's potential accession — and Moldova's, whose bid is formally tied to Kyiv's. Ukraine has sought a fast-track path to membership, but France and Germany pushed back on that idea, the Financial Times reported. Germany has proposed granting Ukraine "associated member" status — which would allow it to participate in meetings of ministers and bloc leaders while stopping short of voting rights or "automatic access" to the EU's common budget.