EU To Open Membership Talks With Ukraine Despite Hungary’s Opposition And Blockage Of $50 Bn

The European Union has decided to open membership negotiations with Ukraine amid its struggle against Russia’s invasion. The announcement was made on Thursday after long negotiations in Brussels. The decision came despite Hungary’s opposition. The leaders, however, could not agree on a 50 billion euro package of financial aid.

According to the Guardian, Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, had for weeks said he would veto any opening of accession talks. After the decision, Orban also stated that Hungary has blocked 50 billion euros in EU aid for Ukraine, as reported by news agency AFP.

A spokesperson for European Council president Charles Michel said that the agreement was unanimous, as reported by the BBC. According to The Guardian, the diplomats stated that Orbán walked out of the room when the decision was made by the leaders of the other 26 member states. Hungary has long opposed talks, starting with Kyiv, but has not vetoed the move.

Orbán’s decision to leave the room was agreed upon beforehand: “He knew that 26 member states were strongly in favour. Of course it’s legal,” The Guardian quoted sources as saying.

After the EU’s decision, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens.”

On X, the Ukrainian President added, “History is made by those who don’t get tired of fighting for freedom.” The leaders of the EU also reached an agreement to open accession negotiations with Moldova and to grant candidate status to Georgia.

Ukraine and Moldova had applied to join the EU in February 2022, at a time when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As per the BBC, they were both given candidate status last June, while Georgia was passed over.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that it was an honour to share the path to EU accession with Ukraine. “We wouldn’t be here today without Ukraine’s brave resistance against Russia’s brutal invasion,” she wrote, as quoted by the BBC.