Hungary Blocks Next Procedural Step in Ukraine and Moldova EU Membership Talks

Hungary has blocked a procedural step required to open the next negotiation clusters for the European Union membership bids of Ukraine and Moldova.

Budapest was the only member state out of 27 to oppose a joint letter from the European Council and the European Commission that outlined a unified position for the bloc. Ukraine had intended to open all six negotiation clusters by mid-July, a timeline that now faces complications, according to Politico on June 23.

A negotiation cluster is a framework grouping related fields and reforms, under which candidate countries align their domestic policies with European Union standards.

While Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar previously consented to opening the first cluster, his administration insisted on removing the phrase "as soon as possible" regarding Kyiv’s prospective membership.

The European Union unanimously launched the first cluster for Ukraine and Moldova on June 15, and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos expressed hope that all remaining clusters would open in July.

Read more

Category

World

Ukrainian Workers and Businesses Are Boosting Poland's Economic Growth

Jun 22, 2026 16:11

This objection follows a shift in June 2026, when Hungary's new government ended a 17-month veto on Ukraine’s accession process. European officials are scheduled to review the joint letter and discuss the issue again next week.

Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary had systematically opposed Ukraine’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures and frequently weaponized its veto power to block critical Western support packages.

However, following his election victory, incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar signaled an immediate reset in bilateral relations. His administration subsequently shifted its stance, committing to a policy of non-interference and privately signaling a willingness to lift the long-standing veto on Ukraine’s formal European Union accession negotiations.

Protect Ukrainian Skies

Subscribe to Sky Defense