All 27 member states of the European Union supported the opening of the first negotiation cluster for Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU.
Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU: Brussels officially opens the first round of negotiations. All 27 member states of the European Union supported the opening of the first negotiation cluster for Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU. This was announced by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council António Costa.
The first cluster, that is, the group of topics for discussion, will focus on values and fundamental principles, compliance with which is necessary for future accession to the EU. In total, Ukraine and Moldova will have to go through six negotiation clusters, including dozens of sections. Then, the accession of both countries to the EU must be unanimously approved by all member states of the bloc.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked European partners for "a strong step for Europe." "Ukraine is defending itself and thereby all of Europe - the idea that European peoples can live united, freely, and in peace," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
Negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union were officially launched in June 2024, but were long held back by Hungary's position. The situation changed after the change of government from Viktor Orbán, writes Deutsche Welle.
