Zelenskyy hopes Poland and Hungary will support opening of negotiating clusters for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine has met the requirements to open all the negotiating clusters in its EU accession talks despite being at war, and that therefore he hopes Poland and Hungary will not block the country's European integration despite the ongoing disputes and strained relations.
Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference with the prime minister of Ireland, which took over the presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Zelenskyy was asked how Ukraine will try to persuade Hungary, whose prime minister Péter Magyar is sceptical about rapid EU accession for Ukraine, and Poland, with which a dispute over history has intensified, to support the opening of the remaining five clusters in negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
Zelenskyy replied that he is counting on unanimity among all EU countries, as Ukraine has done everything Brussels asked of it.
Quote: "Regardless of Orbán and everything else, we have done everything. I hope that [Hungarian Prime Minister] Péter Magyar supports all of this. I also hope the Polish government will support this. I think it is important to recognise that when we all have rules – not just political emotions but rules – we must do what we are supposed to do."
More details: Zelenskyy pointed out the importance of Ukraine having fulfilled the EU's requirements during the war, which was not easy. He also emphasised that Ukraine is defending not only itself but other European countries too.
Quote: "I think it is important to understand that it is in the interests of all countries to bring Ukraine into the EU as soon as possible."
More details: Commenting on the dispute with Poland, Zelenskyy said it is necessary to focus not on the past but on the present.
Quote: "We [and Poland] are neighbours. And we have certain difficulties in our history. Most countries have difficulties in their past. But we are living in the present, we are facing aggression against us, and we must be united now. We are defending the EU, and we must think about security for our people in the future. So I think answers can always be found to questions if we are ready to be strong neighbours and if we want to find those answers."
More details: Zelenskyy added that Ukraine is ready to be a strong partner and a good friend to its neighbours.
Quote: "I hope our neighbours will support us."
Background:
- It was reported earlier that Hungary has prevented a working group of the Council of the EU from approving the screening results for negotiating clusters 2-6 for Ukraine and Moldova, blocking further steps towards the opening of EU accession negotiations in these areas.
- European Pravda reported earlier, citing four unnamed EU diplomats, that the EU may not open all the negotiating clusters for Ukraine in July 2026, as the Ukrainian authorities have sought, due to lack of time for the necessary negotiations and approvals.
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