Hungary blocks EU's annual enlargement statement on Ukraine

According to the outlet, the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán did not support a positive assessment of Ukraine’s progress toward European integration.

Denmark’s Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, said that the other EU member states had confirmed Ukraine’s progress in meeting Brussels’ requirements. She noted that 26 member states continued to show strong support for Ukraine and that Kyiv was fulfilling its commitments. Bjerre also said that the wording in the draft statement regarding Ukraine was balanced and proportionate.

Germany’s Minister for European Affairs, Gunther Krichbaum, criticized Hungary’s actions, describing them as increasingly obstructive and accusing Budapest of blocking EU decisions.

Ukraine still unable to start accession talks

Hungary’s veto means that Ukraine is still unable to launch formal EU accession negotiations. At the same time, Bjerre said that informal consultations on membership conditions were ongoing. She explained that these discussions provide Ukraine with concrete guidance on reforms and clarify the results expected by the majority of member states. Bjerre also expressed confidence that Kyiv could make rapid progress if Hungary were to lift its veto.

In addition to assessing Ukraine, the EU’s enlargement statement included an analysis of progress made by six Western Balkan countries, as well as Turkey, Moldova, and Georgia.

According to the latest European Commission assessment, Montenegro has shown the greatest progress in the accession process and could complete negotiations by the end of 2026 if current reform momentum is maintained. Albania could conclude its talks by the end of 2027.

As reported by Reuters, the EU believes that Ukraine’s accession to the bloc is unlikely before 2027. Ukraine has not yet formally completed any of the 36 accession chapters.

Hungary has repeatedly blocked decisions aimed at advancing Ukraine’s path toward EU integration.