After Orban's election: EU wants to talk to Ukraine about accession

The start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine had already been decided in summer 2024. However, the opening of the first phase of negotiations was then blocked by Hungary with a veto. Orban justified his blockade by claiming that Ukraine's accession would pose a major threat to the EU. He claimed, for example, that the EU would be drawn into a war with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated in Cyprus that Ukraine wanted to join the EU as soon as possible. His government recently set itself the goal of concluding negotiations by the end of 2028. However, it is completely unclear whether this can be achieved. EU accession negotiations with Turkey, for example, were launched back in 2005 - but are now completely on hold following the country's continued setbacks in the areas of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

The accession negotiation process is divided into six thematic areas with a total of 32 sections, also known as clusters or chapters. They can only be opened and closed by unanimous decisions of the member states. Ukraine is ready to open clusters, said Selenskyj.