Category: World

Kyiv Pushes to Open Final EU Accession Clusters by End of 2026 as Hungary Resists

Oct 27, 2026 16:39 Updated Oct 27, 2026 16:51

2 min read

Authors: Cyril Barabaltchouk
News Writer

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar (R) poses with (L-R) Hungarian President Andras Baka, Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament Agnes Forsthoffer and European Council President Antonio Costa at the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest. (Source: Getty Images)

Hungary again refused to approve the screening results for negotiating clusters 4 and 5 in Ukraine’s EU accession process, leaving the final two unopened clusters blocked, European Pravda reported on October 27.

The issue was discussed during a meeting of the EU Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession in Brussels. One diplomat told European Pravda that Hungary’s position had not changed.

We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.

DONATE NOW

Hungary has repeatedly delayed Ukraine’s EU accession process by withholding support at key procedural stages, making Budapest one of the main obstacles to Kyiv’s efforts to advance negotiations. UNITED24 Media has reported on previous Hungarian attempts to block further progress in Ukraine’s membership talks.

According to the report, the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU was aware in advance that Budapest did not intend to alter its position. The matter was nevertheless placed back on the agenda.

Another diplomat described the renewed discussion as primarily political, intended to increase pressure on Hungary rather than secure an immediate breakthrough.

Cluster 4, Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, covers transport, energy, trans-European networks, the environment, and climate change.

Category: World

EU Targets Year-End Opening of Ukraine’s Final Two Membership Negotiating Clusters

Oct 16, 2026 12:18

Cluster 5, Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion Policy, includes agriculture, fisheries, regional policy, and budgetary provisions.

These are the final two negotiating clusters that have not yet been opened for Ukraine. Kyiv is seeking to have both opened by the end of 2026.

European Pravda reported on October 20 that Hungary had refused to approve the screening results for clusters 4 and 5, a necessary procedural step before they can be opened.

The EU opened clusters 2 and 3 in Ukraine’s accession talks on October 13 after the Ukrainian parliament approved changes to the education law that removed an earlier Hungarian veto.

Discuss this article:

PERPLEXITY CHATGPT CLAUDE GEMINI