EU formally launches accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova

Ukraine and Moldova took a major step towards joining the European Union on Monday as the bloc formally launched the accession process for both countries, opening negotiations that will require years of political and institutional reforms.

For Kyiv, the move comes as it continues to fight Russia's invasion and pursues EU membership as both a security guarantee and a pathway towards deeper integration with the West.

The launch of the process was marked by an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg attended by Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka.

Ukraine pushes for faster EU integration

“Aggression against Ukraine and threats against Europe is a permanent policy of Russia, so that’s why we need to be united,” Kachka told reporters. “That’s why we need faster and very comprehensive accession to the European Union.”

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Despite the formal opening of talks, concerns remain within the EU over Ukraine's readiness to join and the security implications of admitting a country that remains at war with Russia, which has announced the annexation of five Ukrainian regions.

Ukraine has viewed EU membership as an important security guarantee. However, membership of the Nato military alliance, which Kyiv considers its strongest security option, has remained out of reach after the Trump administration in the United States insisted that it could not happen and other alliance members remained cautious while the conflict with Russia continued.

Hungary's policy shift clears the way

Ukraine's membership bid had long been blocked by Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose government was considered Russia's strongest ally in Europe and was viewed by some as a potential threat to the EU project.

However, Orban lost the election in April.

His successor, Péter Magyar, moved to restore closer ties with the EU and last week agreed to lift Hungary's veto on Ukraine's accession bid. The decision came shortly after Brussels agreed to release more than €16bn ($18bn) in frozen EU funds for Budapest.

Russia has also sought to keep Moldova within its sphere of influence.

Last year, Moscow was accused of conducting a disinformation campaign driven by artificial intelligence to influence elections in Moldova, although the pro-Western incumbent secured victory.

Long road to membership

Countries seeking to join the EU are required to complete negotiations across 35 policy chapters, covering areas from agriculture and taxation to energy and trade. The process often takes years.

Monday's meeting opened five key chapters, grouped as "clusters", that underpin the bloc's core values and principles, including the rule of law, fundamental rights and the functioning of democratic institutions.

The chapters cover judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, public procurement, and statistics and financial control. The cluster is particularly important for EU countries that have expressed concerns over Ukraine's willingness and ability to combat corruption.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the opening of talks as a "major milestone".

“Both countries have delivered on difficult reforms under extraordinary circumstances. Their membership will make Europe stronger,” she said on X.

Debate continues over pace of Ukraine's entry

Several European countries have advocated bringing Ukraine into the bloc as quickly as possible, arguing that the country is vital to Europe's security and has received extensive military support from its partners.

Last month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged fellow EU leaders to consider granting Ukraine "associate membership" in an effort to revive talks aimed at ending more than four years of war with Russia.

France, the Netherlands and other countries have also proposed alternative arrangements that could bring Ukraine closer to the EU without immediately granting full membership rights.

However, EU officials and other candidate countries have maintained that accession should remain a merit-based process leading only to full membership.