Ambassadors from the European Union’s 27 countries agreed on Friday to advance membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, setting up the first phase of negotiations to begin on Monday.
The decision moves both countries deeper into the EU accession process at a time when Ukraine is still fighting Russia’s invasion and Moldova is seeking to keep pace with its neighbour on the bloc’s membership path.
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Today, the European Union took a major step forward.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 12, 2026
All Member States agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.
At the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday, we will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession… pic.twitter.com/WSPU8CVPpg
A diplomatic knot quietly undone
EU leaders had agreed in December 2023 to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, but the process could not move forward in earnest because the previous Hungarian government opposed Kyiv’s bid, Reuters reported.
That blockade eased after a new government in Budapest reached an agreement with Kyiv this month on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, clearing the way for Hungary to lift its objection to the first phase of talks.
Cluster 1, “Fundamentals,” to be open – a decisive step bringing Ukraine closer to EU membership.
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) June 12, 2026
This proves that reforms work, and that enlargement remains merit-based, credible, and alive.
This is not the finish line. It is the beginning of the hardest work – a shared effort… pic.twitter.com/c58a4mH6RU
Into the machinery of membership
At Friday’s meeting in Brussels, the ambassadors agreed that both countries can begin work on the first “cluster” of policy areas in which they must align domestic laws with EU standards.
In the accession process, candidate countries negotiate policy “chapters” that are grouped into six thematic clusters, including fundamental rights, the internal market and external relations.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement that “Today, the European Union took a major step forward,” and added that “the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process” would be opened at the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday.
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Fine words, formidable work ahead
Costa and von der Leyen said Friday’s decision reflected “the determination, courage and hard work” shown by both countries in pushing reforms despite “immense challenges.”
They also described the move as “a signal that the EU’s offer of peace, stability and opportunity is unmatchable.”
EU accession talks are typically lengthy and require years of reform and compliance work before membership can be approved.
FAQs
Q1: What did EU ambassadors approve for Ukraine and Moldova?
Ans: EU ambassadors approved the first phase of membership negotiations, allowing Ukraine and Moldova to begin the next stage of the EU accession process.
Q2: Does this mean Ukraine and Moldova will join the European Union soon?
Ans: No, EU membership talks typically take years and require candidate countries to complete extensive political, legal and economic reforms before joining.
