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EU Ministers to Gather in Ukraine for First-Ever Summit on Membership Talks

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Photo of Ivan Khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
News Writer
EU and Ukrainian flags fly in Lviv during the opening of the Combatants Center on September 8, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)
EU and Ukrainian flags fly in Lviv during the opening of the Combatants Center on September 8, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

European ministers are set to convene in Lviv next month to discuss ways of moving Ukraine’s European Union membership bid forward despite Hungary’s ongoing opposition, Politico reported on November 11.

According to Politico, the informal summit of ministers for European affairs will take place on December 10–11 in western Ukraine.

The invitation, sent on behalf of Denmark—currently holding the presidency of the Council of the EU—and Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, states that the meeting aims to assess Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership and to “reaffirm political support for Ukraine’s reform and integration efforts.”

“The main focus of our discussions will be Ukraine’s progress on its path to EU membership,” the letter reads. “By convening in Ukraine, we will send a clear and united political message that the future of Ukraine lies within the EU.”

The summit comes as EU diplomats search for ways to bypass the veto imposed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has pledged to block the start of accession talks that require unanimous approval from all member states.

According to Politico, officials are currently exploring a “frontloading” approach that would allow Ukraine and neighboring Moldova to continue implementing the next phase of EU-mandated reforms even without formal approval. This would ensure that both countries are ready to move forward immediately once the political impasse is resolved.

Two unnamed officials told Politico that “the idea is to do as much as possible without having to wait,” adding that Ukraine could accelerate its accession process once Hungary’s veto no longer applies.

Proposals to replace the unanimity rule with a qualified majority vote have so far failed to gain sufficient support among EU members.

Meanwhile, Brussels continues to face delays in delivering financial assistance to Kyiv, including a €140 billion loan proposal backed by frozen Russian assets that remains blocked by Belgian objections.

Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in 2022 and has since implemented extensive economic, judicial, and anti-corruption reforms while defending against Russia’s invasion.

Earlier, it was reported that the Viktor Orbán‑led Hungarian government dismissed the idea of Ukraine’s EU‑membership bid, calling Ukraine an “undefined entity” and tying its accession to security risks for Hungary.

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