Ukraine Set to Start EU Accession Talks, But Hungary Blocks Aid

The European Union (EU) decided Thursday to open accession negotiations with Ukraine but failed to agree on a $54 billion package in financial aid to the war-torn country.

The aid was vetoed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Hungary’s leader decided not to veto the accession talks, but then blocked the aid package. Hungary – which maintains close ties with Russia – has long opposed membership for Ukraine.

“I can inform you that 26 leaders agreed on the (budget negotiation),” European Council President Charles Michel said. “I should be very precise. One leader, Sweden, needs to consult its parliament, which is in line with the usual procedure for this country, and one leader couldn’t agree.”

The decisions required unanimity among the EU’s members. Still, Michel, who was chairing the Brussels summit, called the start of accession talks “a clear signal of hope for their people and our continent.”

Talks on EU accession for Ukraine could take years

The process between opening negotiations and Ukraine finally becoming a member could take many years. EU candidate countries have to pass a series of reforms to adhere to standards ranging from the rule of law to the economy, although the EU’s executive has already praised Ukraine for completing more than 90 percent of the steps taken so far on justice and tackling corruption.

Ukraine’s President Zelensky welcomed the agreement as “a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe.”

“History is made by those who don’t get tired of fighting for freedom,” Zelensky said.

The financial package could not be endorsed after Orban vetoed both the extra money and a review of the EU budget. Michel said leaders would reconvene in January in an effort to break the deadlock.

At the same time as Ukraine, the EU leaders also decided to open membership negotiations with Ukraine’s neighbor Moldova.

In the United States, national security adviser Jake Sullivan welcomed “the EU’s historic decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, a crucial step toward fulfilling their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”

Ukraine is also desperately seeking the approval of a $61bn US defense aid package – but that decision is also being delayed because of major disagreements between Democrat and Republican lawmakers.

Ukraine’s counter-offensive against Russia‘s occupying forces ground to a halt at the start of winter, and there are fears that the Russians could simply outgun Ukraine.

Last week, President Zelensky’s wife, Olena, warned in a BBC interview that Ukrainians were in “mortal danger” of being left to die if Western countries did not continue their financial support.