EU ambassadors fail to decide on launch of accession talks with Ukraine due to Hungary's objection – media

Permanent Representatives of the European Union member states have again failed to make a decision on the European Commission's recommendation to start EU accession talks with Ukraine, as Hungary has raised objections.

An unnamed European diplomat told Interfax-Ukraine that the discussion will continue next week.

He also said that everyone knows that the Commission believes that Moldova and Ukraine have fulfilled their conditions and that the EU should hold an intergovernmental conference. It was very clear at the meeting. Many countries said they agreed with this, but Hungary reiterated that they still have conditions that need to be fulfilled; otherwise, they will not be able to accept the Commission's assessment.

Another senior diplomat said that Hungary made the same complaint as last time about the lack of progress made by Ukraine on national minorities.

"Hungary again mentioned 11 issues and read out two amendments to the negotiation framework on good neighbourly relations and national minorities, mentioning that we (the EU – ed.) also need to move forward with Serbia and Albania. The rest of us participating in the debate – all of us except Hungary – loudly and clearly supported the Commission's assessment and rejected the introduction of new requirements. We are all in favour of holding an intergovernmental conference as early as 25 June," the source said.

At the same time, both senior diplomats stated that the discussion would continue next week.

They did not rule out the possibility that Budapest would compromise for the sake of progress for the Western Balkan countries, giving the green light to Ukraine and Moldova as well.

Katarina Mathernova, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, believes that Ukraine is ready to start negotiations on joining the European Union and hopes these will begin by the end of June.

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, during her recent visit to Kyiv, also said that she expects the talks to start by the end of the first half of 2024.