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.