Ukraine Advances EU Bid as Brussels Seeks Workaround to Hungary’s Veto

The Ukrainian government approved vital roadmaps on Tuesday to begin the first stage of European Union membership talks, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced Tuesday, May 14, on Telegram.

The documents cover reforms in the rule of law, public administration, and democratic institutions. They align with Ukraine’s international commitments and strategic goals, Shmyhal said. The Cabinet also approved Ukraine’s negotiating position for Cluster 1, called “Fundamentals.”

“Our goals remain unchanged,” Shmyhal said. “We aim to open negotiations on all six clusters this year and become a full part of a united Europe after the war.”

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said on the social platform X that Ukraine has completed all internal steps to start talks on the first cluster.

“Despite the war, we continue transformations to join the EU as a strong, capable member,” she wrote.

Officials say roadmaps on the rule of law and public administration are required to open negotiations on the first cluster.

While Ukraine moves forward, Hungary continues to block the formal start of negotiations. According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the EU is now exploring ways to prevent Hungary from undermining the process.

Orbán has been a vocal opponent to Ukraine’s EU bid and has a history of blaming Kyiv for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, echoing Kremlin propaganda. Hungary was the only EU member state refusing to back a joint statement in arming Ukraine on Thursday.

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In a closed-door meeting last week, some EU countries urged the European Commission to find legal paths to open the first negotiation chapter despite objections from Budapest.

Hungary has raised concerns over the treatment of Hungarian minorities in western Ukraine.

Officials believe Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is using the veto as leverage.

Though Hungary agreed to open talks in late 2023 after the EU unfroze €10 billion in funds previously withheld over rule-of-law concerns, Orbán now plans a “national consultation” on Ukraine’s membership.

Sources say unanimity is not legally required to open or close individual chapters of EU talks, even if it is needed to begin and conclude the entire negotiation process.

Ukraine’s bid for EU membership gained momentum after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Though the EU has ruled out fast-tracking Kyiv’s entry, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has praised Ukraine’s reform efforts during wartime.