Hungary's Veto Stalls Ukraine's EU Bid, Impacting Moldova's Accession

Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union are currently stalled due to Hungary's veto, a situation that also impacts Moldova's progress in its application. The EU is hesitant to separate the membership applications of Ukraine and Moldova, fearing this could negatively affect Kyiv, especially as accession is viewed as part of broader security assurances.

The idea of splitting the two applications, submitted around the same time following Russia's full-scale invasion, has gained momentum because of Hungary's firm stance on Ukraine's ambitions. Denmark, currently holding the EU Council's rotating presidency, has pledged to exert significant pressure on Hungary to resolve the deadlock, which began over a year ago.

Both Kyiv and Chisinau have met the technical requirements to begin the first phase of accession negotiations, focusing on fundamental areas like democracy, human rights, security, the judicial system, and public procurement. However, opening a new phase requires unanimous agreement.

Hungary has cited various reasons for its veto, including the war, energy security, and agriculture, and has initiated a national consultation to justify its position. Other EU member states have expressed frustration with the stalemate, with some calling the veto unacceptable and accusing Hungary of using it for domestic reasons.

Despite increasing political pressure from other member states, Hungary has not indicated any willingness to lift its veto. Moldova, caught in the middle, is eager to advance its EU membership while ensuring Ukraine is not left behind during its ongoing war.

Member states argue that separating Moldova from Ukraine would validate Hungary's veto and weaken the EU's message of unity and support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also cautioned against such a move.

At the conclusion of a recent ministerial meeting, the European Commissioner for Enlargement praised Ukraine and Moldova for their efforts and emphasized the urgency of resolving the issue. She highlighted how EU enlargement has become intertwined with the geopolitical struggle between democratic societies and authoritarian regimes, particularly evident in Ukraine and, in a more subtle way, in Moldova.