Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership took another step forward on Tuesday, as EU affairs ministers formally approved the opening of Cluster 6 in the accession negotiations. The cluster, which covers external relations, is considered a core component of the EU’s membership framework. Only one other cluster—Cluster 1, focused on fundamentals and the rule of law—had previously been opened for Kyiv.
“We have today reached another milestone on Ukraine’s EU membership journey by opening another key negotiating cluster,” said Irish Minister of State Thomas Byrne, whose country holds the rotating EU Council Presidency. “This is a testament to the country’s commitment to move forward as quickly as possible.”
The decision marks a significant shift after more than two years of political deadlock, largely driven by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán had repeatedly used Hungary’s veto power in the Council to block progress, citing a dispute over the treatment of the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine. That impasse ended after Orbán was ousted in Hungary’s recent parliamentary elections by political rival Péter Magyar. Magyar’s new government worked with Kyiv to resolve the minority issue, clearing the way for the opening of Cluster 1 in June and now Cluster 6.
Moldova, which applied for EU membership alongside Ukraine in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion, is expected to open the same cluster on Tuesday. The two countries’ accession pathways have been deliberately linked by Brussels. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said ahead of the meeting that “today's momentum must now be turned into delivery on the ground.”
A ‘Super Tuesday’ for EU Enlargement
Tuesday’s meeting also saw progress for Western Balkan frontrunners. Albania and Montenegro are expected to close several accession chapters in what officials have dubbed a “Super Tuesday” for enlargement. The European Commission considers both Ukraine and Moldova technically ready to open all clusters, meaning the pace of negotiations now depends on the political will of the 27 member states.
The EU’s renewed momentum on enlargement comes amid broader security concerns. Ukraine’s membership bid is seen as a strategic counterweight to Russian aggression, and the bloc has already committed substantial financial support. The UK recently joined the EU’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine, underscoring the continent’s unified stance. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military has intensified operations in the Sea of Azov, striking over 100 Russian vessels in eight days and further isolating Crimea.
For Kyiv, the opening of Cluster 6 is a diplomatic victory but also a reminder of the work ahead. Each cluster contains multiple chapters that require detailed alignment with EU laws and standards. The fundamentals cluster, already opened, covers judicial reform, anti-corruption measures, and human rights—areas where the European Commission has noted progress but also called for sustained effort.
“This is not just about ticking boxes,” said a senior EU diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity. “It’s about embedding reforms so deeply that they become irreversible.”
The next steps for Ukraine will involve negotiations on the remaining clusters, including economic criteria, energy, and agriculture. The European Commission has signaled that it expects all clusters to be opened within the next year, though the timeline remains subject to political consensus among member states.
For now, the mood in Brussels is cautiously optimistic. The end of the Orbán-era blockade has removed a major obstacle, and the EU’s enlargement agenda is gaining pace. As Byrne put it, “Ukraine has shown it can deliver. Now the EU must show it can keep its promises.”
