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European Union

Ukraine's EU Membership: Zelensky Condemns Hungary's Obstruction

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed frustration with Hungary's stance on Ukraine's EU membership, citing Vladimir Putin's acceptance of Ukraine's membership as a benchmark for others. He emphasized that there is already a unanimous agreement on Ukraine's future membership in the European Union, with the United States also supporting this goal. Zelensky also highlighted the importance of Europe's energy security, particularly in reducing Russian revenues, and acknowledged concerns from countries like Slovakia and Hungary about buying Russian oil and gas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Hungary's position on Ukraine's EU membership, stating that if even Putin does not object, Hungary's stance looks "really strange."
  • There is already a unanimous agreement on Ukraine's future membership in the European Union, with the United States also supporting this goal.
  • Zelensky emphasized the importance of Europe's energy security, particularly in reducing Russian revenues, and acknowledged concerns from countries like Slovakia and Hungary.
  • Hungary remains the only EU member state blocking the opening of the first cluster in negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
  • Ukraine has fulfilled all conditions for opening negotiations in three clusters: 'Fundamental Areas,' 'Internal Market,' and 'External Relations.'
  • Negotiations on EU accession are divided into 35 chapters, grouped into six clusters, which are opened in turn based on the candidate country's progress.

Statistics:

  • 26 EU leaders spoke in favor of opening negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union on June 26.
  • Ukraine has fulfilled all conditions for opening negotiations in three clusters: 'Fundamental Areas,' 'Internal Market,' and 'External Relations.'
  • 35 chapters of negotiations are divided into six clusters for EU accession.
  • Ukraine's EU membership is a major change, providing economic and geopolitical security guarantees.

Sources:

  • Ukrinform
  • President's briefing with European Council President Antonio Costa
  • Conversation with US President Donald Trump in Paris
  • Interview with Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna.

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