Hungary lifts veto on technical stage of Ukraine's EU accession talks
In short
Hungary lifted its veto on the technical stage of EU accession talks with Ukraine, reports from TASS, Vedomosti, Kommersant, RIA Novosti and RBC said, citing Rapporteur and Euronews. Vedomosti, citing European diplomats, said national capitals must now agree draft EU common positions, which could open two negotiating clusters at an intergovernmental conference next week. Budapest had blocked the step while demanding Kyiv adopt a law protecting the rights of the Hungarian minority, and a source said Ukraine is ready to pass the amendments in the Verkhovna Rada next week.
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Hungary lifted its veto on the technical stage of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, according to reports on 7 October from TASS, Vedomosti, Kommersant, RIA Novosti and RBC. Vedomosti and Kommersant cited Rapporteur and European diplomats; RBC cited Euronews. Kommersant said the lifting of the veto also concerned Moldova's accession talks and allowed the bloc to agree to hold the technical stage. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Vedomosti, citing Rapporteur, said the next step would be agreement by national capitals on draft EU common positions, which could open the way to formally opening two blocks of questions on Ukraine's accession at an intergovernmental conference next week. RBC, citing Euronews, described the move as Hungary lifting its veto on the opening of two negotiating clusters. [ 2 , 5 ]
According to Rapporteur, cited by Vedomosti, Budapest had blocked the step while demanding that Kyiv adopt a law protecting the rights of the Hungarian minority in the country. A source quoted by Vedomosti said Ukraine was ready to approve the relevant amendments to the legislation during a vote in the Verkhovna Rada, adding: “Ukraine will adopt the corresponding legislation in the Verkhovna Rada next week, and we hope that on this basis consensus will be reached in the council.” [ 2 ]
Vedomosti also cited a Financial Times report of 5 October that Budapest intended to soften its veto on further advancement of the accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova. According to the newspaper's sources as described by Vedomosti, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar instructed diplomats not to obstruct the sending of letters to Kyiv and Chisinau about the possible opening of clusters on the internal market as well as on competitiveness and inclusive growth. [ 2 ]
On 2 October, according to Vedomosti, EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said Ukraine would not be able to join the EU in 2027 under the current procedure for admitting new members. She said there would be no exceptions from the procedure for Kyiv and expressed hope that the maximum possible number of negotiating clusters would be opened before the end of 2026. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The lifting of the veto removes a procedural block on Ukraine's EU accession track and could allow the formal opening of negotiating clusters as early as next week, if member states agree common positions. Budapest's stated condition links progress to Ukraine's treatment of its Hungarian minority, making the passage of minority-rights legislation a test of whether the opening proceeds.
Key facts
- Hungary lifted its veto on the technical stage of EU accession talks with Ukraine, according to reports citing Rapporteur and Euronews. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Vedomosti, citing Rapporteur and European diplomats, said the next step is agreement by national capitals on draft EU common positions. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reported that the lifting of the veto also covered Moldova and allowed the bloc to agree to hold the technical talks. [ 3 ]
- RBC, citing Euronews, said the veto was lifted on the opening of two negotiation clusters. [ 5 ]
- According to Rapporteur, cited by Vedomosti, Budapest had blocked the step while demanding that Kyiv adopt a law on protecting the rights of the Hungarian minority. [ 2 ]
- A source cited by Vedomosti said Ukraine would adopt the relevant legislation in the Verkhovna Rada next week and expressed hope for consensus in the council on that basis. [ 2 ]
- On 2 October, EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said Ukraine could not join the EU in 2027 under the current procedure for admitting new members and that there would be no exceptions for Kyiv. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the veto was lifted on the technical stage of the talks or specifically on two negotiation clusters. RBC, citing Euronews, describes the opening of two clusters, while the other documents describe a technical stage; the two framings are not reconciled.
- Hungary's demand that Ukraine adopt a law protecting the Hungarian minority as the condition for lifting the veto. This is attributed to Rapporteur as cited by a single outlet, Vedomosti.
- Whether the two blocks of questions will be formally opened at an intergovernmental conference next week. Vedomosti presents this as a possible outcome contingent on national capitals agreeing common positions.
- The identity of Hungary's prime minister as Péter Magyar. Named only in Vedomosti's account of the Financial Times report and not confirmed by other documents.
- According to Kommersant, the lifting of the veto also concerned Moldova's accession talks. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Hungary lifted its veto on the technical stage of talks on Ukraine's EU accession. [ 1 ]
- Vedomosti, citing Rapporteur and European diplomats, reports the veto was lifted and adds detail on the next steps and Hungary's minority-rights demand. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reports that the lifting of the veto, which it says also covered Moldova, allowed the bloc to agree to hold the technical talks. [ 3 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the lifting of the veto, citing media. [ 4 ]
- RBC, citing Euronews, reports that Hungary lifted its veto on two negotiation clusters. [ 5 ]