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Why it could take a decade for Ukraine to join the EU

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Minister Byrne welcomes breakthrough on EU accession

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EU opens 1st negotiation cluster for Ukraine, Moldova

Could Bulgarias concerns over its minority in Ukraine become part of Kyivs EU accession debate?

A new dimension is emerging in EU enlargement as minority rights increasingly intersect with accession negotiations.

Portugal welcomes progress in the EU enlargement process, with the opening of the first negotiation cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.

Enlargement is a strategic investment in European peace, security and prosperity, grounded in fundamental values su...

Today is Mega-Monday for EU enlargement. 

First, Ukraine and Moldova will take their biggest step since the decision to start EU accession negotiations in 2023.

We will also close two more chapters with Montenegro, bringing it close to half of all ...

The Nordic-Baltic and Hungarys foreign ministers met in the EU format in #Luxembourg.

We discussed European security, support for Ukraine, and merit-based EU enlargement in the Western Balkans and start of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Mol...

The EPP Group sees EU enlargement as a strategic investment in a stronger, more secure and more influential Europe. The formal opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, after a long and unnecessary delay, marks a major step towards ...

EU Enlargement Commissioner @MartaKosEU
right now celebrating "Mega Monday" where Ukraine, Moldova, and Montenegro all make significant progress on their EU membership bids.  

She wants all six clusters open by summer. 

Holds out hope for a "Terrif...

EU opens first accession talks with Ukraine today in LuxembourgCluster 1 "Fundamentals" on judiciary &amp; rights now open after Hungary lifts veto #UkraineEU #EUEnlargement

Just witnessed history in the making: the opening of the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.

Ukraine and Moldova have delivered on reforms, and today Europe delivered on its promise.

Montenegro also continues its steady p...

Mega-Monday for EU Enlargement, to quote @MartaKosEU!

An historic breakthrough for Ukraine and Moldova today on EU accession.

Proud to represent Ireland in demonstrating our full support.

For my comments on today, see

Today, Ukraine and Moldova officially opened the first negotiation cluster on the path to EU membership.

This historic decision helps define what Europe will look like in the decades ahead and what kind of Europe we will leave to future generations....

Consilium

Eu And Ukraine Open First Accession Negotiations Cluster

Al Jazeera

EU officially launches Ukraine and Moldova accession process

Il Sole 24 ORE

Ukraine: the EU opens the first chapter of accession negotiations

The Asia Business Daily

EU Begins Accession Talks with Ukraine and Moldova:

The Jerusalem Post

Ukraine, Moldova start EU membership negotaions on Monday

The Associated Press

Ukraine starts EU membership talks and faces years of reforms while fighting Russia

Boston Herald

Ukraine to start EU membership talks, ushering in years of reforms while fighting Russias war

German Federal Foreign Office

Milestone in the EU accession process for Ukraine and Moldova: Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg

Politico

EU developing rules to bite hard if new members go rogue, says enlargement chief

EuroNews

Ukraine and Moldova press ahead with bid to join the EU on enlargement Mega Monday

Newsday

EU estimates when Ukraine could join bloc  The Guardian

Guardian

Ukraine and Moldova to enter first phase of EU membership negotiations

The Telegraph

EEAS

Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas at the press conference

Metaculus

Ukraine Joins EU Before 2030

Liz Truss

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Jake Sullivan

Dmitry Peskov

John Kirby

Daniel DePetris

Mykhailo Podolyak

Petro Poroshenko

Andrey Illarionov

Dmytro Kuleba

David Von Drehle

Oleksiy Reznikov

Sergei Shoigu

Dmitry Gorenburg

Ivan Losev

Aleksey Arestovich

Andrzej Duda

James Stavridis

Dmitry Medvedev

Jason Jay Smart

Beth Knobe

Dmitri Alperovitch

Richard Branson

When Will the Russia-Ukraine War End?

Ukraine and Moldova formally opened the first cluster of EU accession negotiations in Luxembourg on Monday, marking the biggest step in their membership bids <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2022/ukraine-makes-bid-to-join-european-union">since being granted candidate status in 2022 </a>following Russia's full-scale invasion.

Ukraine and Moldova formally opened the first cluster of EU accession negotiations in Luxembourg on Monday, marking the biggest step in their membership bids since being granted candidate status in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion.

The opening cluster, known as the "fundamentals" cluster, covers five chapters: judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, public procurement, statistics and financial control. These chapters must be opened first and closed last in the accession process.

The opening cluster, known as the "fundamentals" cluster, covers five chapters: judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, public procurement, statistics and financial control. These chapters must be opened first and closed last in the accession process.

Hungary's former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/zelenskyy-hints-druzhba-attack-tied-to-hungarys-veto-on-ukraines-eu-bid">blocked Ukraine's accession talks for roughly two years by vetoing negotiations.</a> His successor, Péter Magyar, struck a deal with Kyiv on protections for Ukraine's Hungarian minority, clearing the path for Monday's conference.

Hungary's former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had blocked Ukraine's accession talks for roughly two years by vetoing negotiations. His successor, Péter Magyar, struck a deal with Kyiv on protections for Ukraine's Hungarian minority, clearing the path for Monday's conference.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said more progress had been made in reviving the enlargement policy in the past 16 months than in the previous 15 years, and expressed hope that the remaining five negotiating clusters could be opened as soon as July.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said more progress had been made in reviving the enlargement policy in the past 16 months than in the previous 15 years, and expressed hope that the remaining five negotiating clusters could be opened as soon as July.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed granting Ukraine associate membership — representation in EU institutions without voting rights — but the idea was rejected by President Zelenskyy and dismissed by European diplomats. EU officials insist the process must lead to full membership.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed granting Ukraine associate membership — representation in EU institutions without voting rights — but the idea was rejected by President Zelenskyy and dismissed by European diplomats. EU officials insist the process must lead to full membership.

EU officials estimate Ukraine has completed only 15% of a 10-point reform plan agreed in December, which includes strengthening anti-corruption agencies and reforming judicial appointment processes.

EU officials estimate Ukraine has completed only 15% of a 10-point reform plan agreed in December, which includes strengthening anti-corruption agencies and reforming judicial appointment processes.

Channel 4 News #

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Hungary's former Prime Minister <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/zelenskyy-hints-druzhba-attack-tied-to-hungarys-veto-on-ukraines-eu-bid">Viktor Orbán had blocked Ukraine's accession talks for roughly two years by vetoing negotiations. </a>His successor, Péter Magyar, struck a deal with Kyiv on protections for Ukraine's Hungarian minority, clearing the path for Monday's conference.

EU officials estimate Ukraine has completed only 15% of a 10-point reform plan agreed in December, which includes strengthening anti-corruption agencies and reforming judicial appointment processes. Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard warned the EU must ensure future members are committed to European values.

EU officials estimate Ukraine has completed only 15% of a 10-point reform plan agreed in December, which includes strengthening anti-corruption agencies and reforming judicial appointment processes. Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard warned the EU must ensure future members are committed to European values.

Ukraine and Moldova launching EU membership talks is a massive win for European security and a direct rebuke to Russian aggression. Getting both countries into the EU framework means stronger democratic institutions, rule-of-law reforms and a united front against Moscow's destabilizing influence. This is exactly the kind of bold, strategic move Europe needs to protect its future.

Ukraine and Moldova launching EU membership talks is a massive win for European security and a direct rebuke to Russian aggression. Getting both countries into the EU framework means stronger democratic institutions, rule-of-law reforms and a united front against Moscow's destabilizing influence. This is exactly the kind of bold, strategic move Europe needs to protect its future.

Marta Kos

Ursula von der Leyen

vonderleyen

Enthusiasm aside, Ukraine has only completed 15% of the reforms agreed in December, and serious corruption concerns remain unresolved. Rushing accession without ironclad safeguards risks repeating the Hungary disaster, where a member state weaponized veto power and had billions in EU funds frozen. Full membership must be earned through real reform, not handed out as a wartime political gesture.

Enthusiasm aside, Ukraine has only completed 15% of the reforms agreed in December, and serious corruption concerns remain unresolved. Rushing accession without ironclad safeguards risks repeating the Hungary disaster, where a member state weaponized veto power and had billions in EU funds frozen. Full membership must be earned through real reform, not handed out as a wartime political gesture.

Alternative News

There is a 7% chance that Ukraine will join the EU before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 7% chance that Ukraine will join the EU before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Ukraine, Moldova Launch EU Membership Talks

Ukraine, Moldova Launch EU Membership Talks

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