\n<\/p>\n
Ukraine and the European Union hope to start formal membership negotiations following the election defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, a noted opponent of Kiev’s accession to the bloc.<\/p>\n
“We are ready,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, as he arrived at an informal EU summit in the Cypriot seaside town of Ayia Napa.<\/p>\n
The EU decided to launch accession talks with Ukraine in 2024, but Hungary has been blocking the opening of the first phase of formal negotiations.<\/p>\n
Orb\u00e1n justified his veto by arguing Ukraine\u2019s accession posed major risks, potentially dragging the EU into a war with Russia.<\/p>\n
The accession negotiations are divided into six areas with a total of 32 thematic sections, also known as clusters. Talks on each cluster can only be opened and concluded by unanimous decisions of all 27 EU member states.<\/p>\n
Ukraine has completed preparatory work and is ready to open several clusters, Zelensky said.<\/p>\n
He expressed hope that the incoming Hungarian government under prime minister-elect P\u00e9ter Magyar will be more open towards Ukraine and that Kiev will have the support of all EU partners.<\/p>\n
“Now it’s time to look forward and to prepare the next step, and the next step is to open formally the first clusters of negotiation,” said European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa at the beginning of the two-day meeting in Cyprus.<\/p>\n
EU leaders breathe sigh of relief <\/strong><\/p>\n Kremlin-friendly Orb\u00e1n, who did not take part in the talks in Cyprus, dropped his months-long opposition to a \u20ac90 billion ($105 billion) support loan for Ukraine and the bloc’s 20th package of sanctions on Russia after his election defeat.<\/p>\n Many EU leaders welcomed the decision, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.<\/p>\n “I am very grateful that the European Union\u2019s loan has now finally been approved,” said Merz.<\/p>\n While many in the EU hope for better relations with Hungary under Orb\u00e1n successor and fewer disagreements, some did not mince words.<\/p>\n Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Orb\u00e1n “held us hostage … for a long time.”<\/p>\n Along with events in Ukraine, EU leaders were due to discuss on Thursday the fallout from the conflict in the Middle East, including rising energy prices and worries about a potential jet fuel shortage.<\/p>\n Turning to internal issues on Friday, EU leaders are expected to discuss plans for the bloc’s upcoming long-term budget for the years 2028-34 in Nicosia.<\/p>\n The main stumbling point is how the bloc’s ambitions, including boosting the EU’s faltering competitiveness and improving Europe’s defence capabilities, can be financed when many capitals are short on cash after consecutive crises.<\/p>\n After the consultations on EU issues, leaders are to meet representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria on Friday afternoon to discuss shared challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n