EU opens Ukraine accession talks after Hungary lifts veto (opens in new tab)

The European Union opened the first substantive accession negotiation cluster with Ukraine and Moldova on June 15 at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, advancing both countries’ bids to join the bloc. The cluster covers the foundations of accession, including the rule of law and fundamental rights, democratic institutions, public administration reform and economic criteria. The step followed the end of a long Hungarian blockage: former Prime Minister Viktor Orban had opposed progr...