Ukraine and Moldova officially started the main part of their European Union membership negotiations on June 15, 2026. This important diplomatic step had been delayed for almost two years. Officials met in Luxembourg for a special conference. They officially opened the first group of talks, called the "Fundamentals" cluster.
For Ukraine, this was a very significant moment. Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, led his country's team. He told reporters that this was a huge change for a country still fighting a war with Russia. Kachka said it was a "Rubicon" moment. He explained that all of Ukrainian society dreams of joining the EU. He also stressed that unity is important because Russia's actions are a constant danger to Europe.
The way to these talks was made possible by a political change in Central Europe. EU leaders had agreed to start talks with Ukraine and Moldova in December 2023. However, Hungary, led by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, blocked the process. Hungary had been friendly towards Moscow. This problem ended in May 2026 when Péter Magyar became Hungary's new prime minister. His government quickly adopted a pro-European policy. Hungary and Ukraine discussed the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine's Zakarpattia region. After an agreement was reached, Hungary removed its veto, allowing the EU to agree on June 12 to move forward.
The "Fundamentals" cluster covers basic democratic standards like the rule of law and economic readiness. The EU accession process has 35 chapters, organized into six clusters. The "Fundamentals" cluster is the first to open and the last to close. Progress in other areas depends on how well a country meets these basic standards. The agreement includes a plan for rule-of-law goals and minority rights.