Hungary again slowed down the process of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU

Hungary opposed sending a letter to the European Council and the European Commission with the common position of all 27 EU countries on the issue of Ukraine and Moldova joining the bloc, Politico writes, citing two sources.

This letter was the next procedural step after EU countries approved the opening of the first negotiation cluster for the accession of Ukraine and Moldova on June 15. The approval of the letter requires the consent of all 27 EU countries, so the issue will be discussed again next week.

The opening of the first negotiation cluster was blocked for a long time by the previous Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, who opposed Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Current Prime Minister Peter Magyar did not object to the start of negotiations, but insisted on eliminating the wording “as soon as possible” in relation to Ukraine’s membership.

Last week, Magyar said Hungary “doesn’t think it’s a good idea” to open all six negotiating clusters at the same time. “Partly because the ink on the documents for the first cluster has not yet dried, and partly because it would send the wrong signal to the countries of the Western Balkans - Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia - which have been working for many years to join the European Union,” he said.

• EU countries have been discussing the nuances of Ukraine's accession (and Moldova, whose application is related to it) for a long time. Kiev wants an accelerated path, but, according to the Financial Times, France and Germanydid not support this. Berlin has proposed granting Ukraine "associate member" status, under which it would participate in meetings of ministers and leaders, but would not have voting rights or "automatic access" to the EU's general budget.