EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos believes that despite Hungary’s veto, practical accession talks with Ukraine on all negotiating clusters are expected to begin by the end of the year.

Source: Kos at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, as reported by European Pravda 

Details: Kos said the preparatory processes for the negotiations have progressed at an unprecedented pace.

She reiterated the official position of the European Commission that the first cluster is ready to be opened and expressed hope that this will happen soon for both Ukraine and Moldova. The EU commissioner made no mention that Hungary continues to block any decision regarding Ukraine.

Instead, Kos shared memories of her first visit to Ukraine on 1 December 2024, admitting that she had initially been more sceptical. She spoke about talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Kos said that Zelenskyy had stated the Ukrainian goal was to open all the negotiation clusters by the end of 2025. Her initial reaction had been to think that such a goal was impossible, but she had chosen not to express this view at the time, as her diplomatic role required restraint.

Kos added that now she would give a different response, expressing confidence that all the clusters would be opened within the year and subsequently closed. She did not specify how she intended to overcome or lift the Hungarian veto.

Background:Earlier, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna stated that Hungary cannot block the start of Ukraine–EU talks.

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