EU agrees to open Ukraine accession talks as Hungary lifts veto threat

Zelenskyy celebrates moment as 'victory for Ukraine; a victory for all of Europe'

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the move was a 'victory for Ukraine'. Picture: Cornelius Poppe/AFP

The EU has agreed to formally open accession talks with Ukraine after an unexpected decision by Hungary to lift its threat of vetoing the move.

The historical declaration is seen as a lifeline to a country which has had few bright moments or cause for optimism in the last two years.

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

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.

Mr Orban agreed to abstain instead of using his veto, after several days of prior interventions by Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, France's President Emmanuel Macron, and Charles Michel, president of the European Council.

Sources say it was politely suggested to Mr Orban by Mr Scholz that he leave the room to allow the 26 countries to pass the decision.

Hours before the summit, Hungary was also granted €10.2bn of EU funding which had been withheld due to serious concerns about the ongoing democratic backsliding in the country.

Earlier in the day Mr Zelenskyy joined the 27 EU leaders via videolink, and warned them that the hand of history was upon them.

“This day will go down in our history. Whether it’s good or bad for us, history will capture everything," he said.

I ask you one thing today: Do not betray the people and their faith in Europe.

Ireland has been strongly supportive of Ukrainian membership since shortly after the Russian invasion began.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the decision is 'going to really lift hearts now in Kyiv, in Zaporizhzhia, in places where there are people tonight in bomb shelters'. Picture: Norma Burke/PA

After the announcement, the Taoiseach said: “It’s a really important signal to people in those countries to know that when the EU says it stands by its values, when it says we’re going to stand with them for as long as it takes, then we mean it.

“And it’s going to really lift hearts now in Kyiv, in Zaporizhzhia, in places where there are people tonight in bomb shelters. And tomorrow there will be people defending their homes, and this will give them a lot of hope.

“Membership won’t happen overnight or even in a few years’ time but all those countries are very firmly on that pathway."

Accession negotiations will begin early in 2024.