The initiation of expert-level talks on the issue, following the first publicly recognized direct discussions between the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Hungary over the weekend, suggests that Budapest might now be willing to negotiate an agreement.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told POLITICO last week that Kyiv is still optimistic about its EU membership and aims to sign a “membership agreement” with the EU by 2027. Budapest has previously impeded Kyiv from commencing any formal negotiation chapters with Brussels, but expectations are rising that this opposition may be lifted in June, allowing up to five negotiation chapters to be opened in the forthcoming months.
Nevertheless, full EU membership remains a remote goal. While Kyiv maintains that joining the EU is an essential component of the peace deal with Russia that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs to present to the Ukrainian public, there is no agreement among EU members regarding a precise timeline for Kyiv’s membership.
Germany has proposed an “associate membership” option, opposed by Ukraine. Meanwhile, the European Commission supports an intermediate solution that expects technical membership negotiations with Kyiv to conclude by the end of 2027.
A senior Council official, speaking anonymously due to the issue’s sensitivity, stated that Budapest’s refusal to discuss Ukraine’s EU membership bid has left it without crucial documentation for the process. Efforts are being made to update Budapest quickly, as an agreement is required before the next EU leaders’ meeting in Brussels on June 18-19.
Leave a Reply