European Union agrees to open membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision (PA)

The European Union has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

European Council president Charles Michel called it “a clear signal of hope for their people and our continent”.

The decision was announced at a summit gathering leaders of the 27 EU countries.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated the moment as “victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe."

In the lead-up to the summit, Budapest indicated it would not support Ukrainian accession talks, and requested the issue be removed from the agenda of the two-day meeting.

After the announcement, its prime minister Viktor Orban told reporters: "Hungary does not want to share in this bad decision.” Crunch talks were expected to potentially last all weekend as member states said they were determined to make progress on enlargement, and on signing off on a financial aid package for Ukraine worth €50bn.

Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban, right, with EU leaders Kaja Kallas of Estonia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgium's Alexander De Croo and Austria's Karl Nehammer.Picture: Omar Havana/AP Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban, right, with EU leaders Kaja Kallas of Estonia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgium's Alexander De Croo and Austria's Karl Nehammer.Picture: Omar Havana/AP Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said earlier in the day that he was prepared to stay until Sunday.

Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas said she was willing to "talk until Christmas".

In the end, it happened fast. EU Council president Charles Michel swept down to the press room in the European Council building to announce the surprisingly swift achievement after 6.30pm, Brussels time.

This is a historic moment, and it shows the credibility of the European Union. The strength of the European Union. The decision is made.

Accession talks were also granted to Moldova, while Georgia was granted candidate status.

Matters relating to EU enlargement require unanimous support among all EU countries.