Ukraine is now in a position to open and simultaneously close several chapters of its European Union accession process, following Hungary's decision to end a two-year veto, European Council President António Costa told Euronews in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat, Montenegro.
“Fortunately, we didn't lose time during this period of paralysis,” Costa said, referring to the impasse under former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had vowed to block Kyiv's membership bid. Despite the formal veto, technical work continued behind the scenes, allowing Ukraine to push through key reforms independently. “We are very advanced,” Costa added.
Breakthrough in Bilateral Relations
Costa welcomed what he described as a “positive change in attitude” from Hungary's new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar. This week, Budapest lifted its veto after securing a bilateral deal with Ukraine on minority rights in the Transcarpathian region, following weeks of intense negotiations. “I think it's very important, first of all, for the bilateral relations between Hungary and Ukraine,” Costa said, emphasising that country-to-country difficulties should not derail the broader accession process with EU institutions.
“It's very positive that Prime Minister Magyar gave this clear sign that (he is) now leading with a new government, with a new policy in Hungary and with a new attitude of Hungary in the European Union,” Costa added.
For more on the specifics of the agreement, read our analysis: Inside the Deal That Ended Hungary's Veto on Ukraine's EU Accession.
Accelerated Negotiations Ahead
Since Kyiv and Brussels have spent months working informally to advance legislation, Costa believes it is possible to open and close several chapters immediately. “I believe that it's possible to open and at the same time close immediately several chapters because they have already done what they need to do to close the chapters,” he said.
If all goes according to plan, Ukraine and Moldova—which until now have been treated as twin bids—will open the first cluster of negotiations, known as “fundamentals,” on 15 June. This cluster covers human rights, the rule of law, the judiciary, and public procurement. Aspiring countries must complete a difficult process of internal reforms overseen by the European Commission. In total, the accession process comprises 33 chapters, split into six thematic clusters, creating multiple opportunities for member states to impose vetoes.
Ukraine is pushing to open all six clusters as soon as this month, but officials and diplomats in Brussels believe it will take longer, possibly stretching into September.
Costa Backs Reformed Methodology
In his interview, Costa expressed support for a reformed methodology. “Personally, I believe that we don't need to have unanimity to open chapters and clusters. We just need the unanimity to close chapters and clusters,” he said, noting that “bilateral issues” must be properly addressed to avoid blockages.
This stance aligns with broader discussions on EU enlargement, as explored in our earlier piece: Costa Backs Streamlined EU Accession Rules Ahead of Western Balkans Summit.
The lifting of Hungary's veto marks a significant step forward for Ukraine's European aspirations, though the path remains complex. As Costa noted, the technical groundwork laid during the impasse means Kyiv is now better prepared than ever to move quickly through the accession process.
