Hungary reportedly unblocks opening of sixth EU accession talks cluster with Ukraine

Hungary has agreed to the opening of the sixth cluster of Ukraine's and Moldova's European Union accession negotiations, covering external relations.

Source: Polish broadcaster RMF FM, as reported by European Pravda

Details: It is the first of the five remaining negotiation clusters whose launch Hungary blocked on 23 June.

At the time, Budapest refused to approve the sending of official EU letters to Kyiv and Chișinău that would formally initiate the next stages of the accession process.

The decision signals a partial softening of Hungary's position but does not resolve the deadlock. According to the report, Budapest still opposes launching the procedures for the remaining four negotiation clusters.

It also means President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call to open all five remaining clusters in July is unlikely to be fulfilled. So far, only the first cluster, Fundamentals, covering issues including the rule of law and fundamental rights, has been officially opened.

The sixth cluster covers the EU's common foreign and security policy, trade policy and relations with third countries.

Sending the letter does not mark the official opening of negotiations in this area but is merely the first procedural step. Ukraine and Moldova will now present their positions, after which the European Commission will prepare draft common negotiating positions requiring the unanimous approval of all EU member states.

If the remaining procedural steps proceed as planned, the sixth negotiation cluster is expected to be formally opened on 14 July during a meeting of EU ministers responsible for European affairs.

According to RMF FM, there is no consensus in Brussels on opening all of the remaining clusters simultaneously. An increasing number of member states favour a gradual approach to the negotiations rather than an accelerated process. Poland is among the countries supporting the step-by-step opening of additional negotiation clusters rather than launching all of them at once.

Background:

• Earlier, European Pravda, citing sources, reported that Ukraine's plan to open all accession negotiation clusters in July 2026 could be delayed because of the time needed for consultations and coordination.
• On 1 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that, despite the ongoing war, Ukraine had fulfilled the requirements for opening all negotiation clusters and expressed hope that Poland and Hungary would not block the country's path towards EU membership despite existing disagreements.

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