Hungary’s veto slowed down Ukraine’s European integration: what is known
17 December 2025 08:28
Hungary, which opposes Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, has blocked the EU’s annual statement on the enlargement process. This is reported by DW, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs
The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban did not support a positive assessment of Ukraine’s efforts on the path to European integration, Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency, said at consultations in Brussels on Tuesday, December 16.
Other EU states confirmed that Ukraine has made progress in fulfilling Brussels’ requirements.
“Hungary’s veto means that Ukraine still cannot start formal negotiations on accession to the EU. At the same time, informal consultations on the conditions of Ukraine’s membership are already underway,” said Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre.
Germany sharply criticized Budapest’s veto
German Minister for European Affairs Gunther Kriechbaum called Hungary’s actions “increasingly destructive” and accused the government in Budapest of deliberately blocking the decisions of the European Union.
Negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU remain blocked
Due to Hungary’s veto, Ukraine is still unable to start formal negotiations on accession to the European Union. At the same time, according to Marie Bierre, informal consultations on the terms of membership are already underway.
“This means that Ukraine receives specific recommendations: what reforms need to be carried out, what results are expected by the majority of member states,” she explained.
The minister expressed her belief that Kyiv could have moved much faster if Hungary had lifted its veto.
Other candidate countries: Balkans, Turkey, Moldova and Georgia
In addition to Ukraine, the EU’s annual enlargement statement also assessed the progress of
- six countries of the Western Balkans,
- Turkey,
- Moldova,
- And Georgia.
According to the latest analysis by the European Commission, Montenegro has made the most progress – the country could complete its accession negotiations by the end of 2026 if the current pace of reforms is maintained.
For Albania, the completion of negotiations is considered possible by the end of 2027.
