Ukraine's EU talks could move forward this year–even with Hungary blocking
Photo: Katarína Mathernová (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Despite Hungary’s resistance, there is a possibility that Ukraine could open all clusters of negotiations on accession to the European Union as early as this year, according to EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"I will say I hope so," she said.
As the ambassador noted, there are different ways to implement this, and the plan still involves opening first three, and then another three clusters.
According to her, all of this is possible within the framework of Denmark’s presidency of the EU in the second half of this year.
"So that's still Plan A, or Plan A+, or Plan A*," added Mathernová.
Accession process
Ukraine has made significant progress on the path to EU membership. In particular, in 2024, the leaders of the bloc’s countries approved the beginning of accession negotiations with Ukraine. However, the negotiations have not yet begun.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Poland aims to initiate the first cluster of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU during its presidency of the European Union by July 1, 2025. However, according to him, Hungary is blocking the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
Despite this, Ukraine aims to make progress in its accession negotiations with the EU this year.
The overwhelming majority of Ukrainians would like to see the country in both the European Union (EU) and NATO. Accession to the defense alliance is the higher priority. More Ukrainians want to see Ukraine in NATO first (46%) than in the EU (22%).
