The European Commission is in favour of opening the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels on 26 June.
“Under relentless fire, Ukraine is pursuing reform after reform. That is why the Commission is in favour of opening the first cluster of negotiations. Ukraine has achieved results-now we must also achieve them. Because the entry process is based on merit. And Ukraine deserves to move forward,” she said.
Earlier, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also supported the start of negotiations with Ukraine, pointing to the importance of continued strong support for Ukraine, including future membership.
“Ukraine and Moldova have already fulfilled the conditions for the start of the initial cycle of negotiations – the so-called ‘fundamental issues’ cluster. Now the ball is on our side. We need to maintain the momentum,” she stated.
Ukraine’s progress towards the EU, in particular the opening of the first “fundamentals” negotiation cluster, is being blocked by Hungary. The EU leaders’ summit on 26 June did not change this situation.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had previously complained about Ukraine for what he saw as insufficient protection of national minorities, particularly Hungarian minorities, now explains this by the fact that the country is at war.