EU leaders propose starting Ukraine accession talks on June 25, sources tell Politico. However, Hungary's consent is necessary and remains the main obstacle.
Both the Ukrainian leadership and the EU are actively negotiating with Hungary.
Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó, reporting progress.
Hungary is set to assume the EU Presidency on July 1. Sources believe that Budapest prefers the negotiations to commence before this date. The accession process for Ukraine could take several years.
The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has been a significant factor in Ukraine's push for EU membership.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that an alternative to joining the EU would be a compromise with Russia, which he argues would mean a Russian victory in the war.
