Hungary blocked the opening of two new negotiating clusters in Ukraine’s European Union membership talks on Wednesday, diplomats and media reports said, stalling progress on chapters central to the bloc’s internal market and economic integration.
Veto on Key Clusters
Budapest prevented the launch of Cluster 2, covering the internal market, and Cluster 3, which addresses competitiveness, economic and social policy, according to EU officials. The move requires unanimous agreement from all 27 member states, and Hungary’s objection effectively halts formal negotiations on these sections for now.
Budapest Points to Balkan Candidates
“The treatment of Ukraine should not be more favourable than that of candidate countries in the Balkans,” a Hungarian representative told the meeting, arguing against what Budapest sees as an accelerated path for Kyiv. The official also voiced opposition to any fast-track accession process for Ukraine.
Ukraine and the EU have so far opened two clusters: the first, on fundamentals of the accession process, and the sixth, on external relations. Opening further clusters is seen as critical to anchoring Ukraine’s reform progress and integration with the European economy, especially as the country continues to fight Russia’s full-scale war.
EU diplomats said political efforts would be needed to persuade Hungary to lift its block, as several member states support the rapid progression of Ukraine’s application. The veto underlines the unanimity rule that gives each government the power to delay accession talks, just as Brussels is trying to maintain momentum for Kyiv’s membership bid.
