The European Commission has told EU member states that both Ukraine and Moldova have met the necessary criteria to start formal negotiations for their admission to the bloc and the only thing standing in the way is the decision of the member states.
According to many EU countries, Ukraine and Moldova have met most of the requirements.
While this means the start of talks should be imminent, diplomatic sources say the Hungarian government is currently blocking the move due to concerns that Ukraine is unprepared to join the 27-nation bloc.
Orbán’s government, which will take over the presidency of the EU Council from July, giving it the power to set the agenda and chair ministerial meetings, has led EU ministers to fear talks could break down if Hungary does not accept until the end of June.
Before talks begin, member states must unanimously agree on negotiating frameworks that set out the principles and guidelines that will guide Brussels’ accession talks with Kyiv and Chisinau.
