European Union (EU) leaders at Brussels summit on Thursday, the 14th of December, reached an agreement on opening accession talks with Ukraine, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban temporarily leaving the room, allowing them to take a historic decision. However, a revision of the bloc’s budget to redirect 50 billion euros in financial aid to Ukraine and to provide more money for other EU priorities received resistance from the Hungarian prime minister, reports Reuters.
In addition to Ukraine, EU leaders agreed to open accession talks with Moldova and granted candidate status to Georgia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his conviction that these countries belong to the European family. The leaders also announced plans to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Hercegovina once it has made concrete political reforms.
The EU’s decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine comes at a crucial time for the country, which is facing difficulties on the battlefield and uncertainty over US financial assistance.
According to Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it a victory that “motivates, inspires and strengthens”, underlining the importance of this step for Ukraine and for Europe as a whole.
Zelensky congratulated Ukrainians, adding that “history is made by those who are not tired of fighting for freedom”.
German Chancellor Scholz played a crucial role in organising the temporary absence of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the time of the decision.
EU leaders concluded talks early on Friday morning on a financial package that requires unanimous agreement, with the Hungarian prime minister objecting to EU funding for Ukraine on the grounds that Ukraine is not part of the bloc.
EU leaders plan to resume discussions on funding in January,
expressing optimism that an agreement could be reached then.
Officials said 26 of the 27 EU leaders were satisfied with the compromise budget proposal presented by summit chairman Charles Michel.
While the decision to open EU membership negotiations with Ukraine is an important step, the process is expected to be lengthy and will not start immediately. Given Ukraine’s size, population and the ongoing conflict in the country, the EU faces unique difficulties in welcoming Ukraine into the bloc, writes Reuters.
Before negotiations can start, the EU must agree on a negotiating agenda, which requires unanimity for approval. The leaders clarified that this step would be taken as soon as Ukraine meets the remaining requirements on democracy and the rule of law, as per Reuters.
Read also: On the eve of EU summit, EC unlocks 10.2 billion euros for Hungary
Follow us on Facebook and X!