April 23, 2026, 7:49 p.mApril 23, 2026, 7:49 p.m
After Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was voted out, the first round of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine should begin quickly. It is now time to look forward and prepare the next step, said EU Council President António Costa at the start of an informal EU summit in Cyprus. This consists of opening the first negotiating chapters for the EU accession of Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia.
The start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine had already been decided in the summer of 2024. However, the opening of the first phase of negotiations was blocked by Hungary with a veto.
Orban justified his blockade with alleged major dangers for the EU from Ukraine’s accession. For example, he claimed that this would drag the EU into war with Russia.
Duration of negotiations open
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj confirmed in Cyprus that Ukraine wanted to join the EU as quickly as possible. His government recently set itself the goal of completing the negotiations by the end of 2028.
However, it is completely unclear whether this can be implemented. The EU accession negotiations with Turkey, for example, started in 2005 – but they are now completely on hold following the country’s continued regression 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, which are also called clusters or chapters. They can only be opened and closed by unanimous decisions of the Member States. Ukraine is ready to open clusters, Zelensky said. (sda/dpa)