Negotiations with Ukraine regarding EU expansion are ongoing
The EU enlargement process has hit a roadblock for Ukraine and Moldova, with Hungary's veto being the primary obstacle. Both countries have been granted candidate status, but as of August 2025, no accession chapters have been opened.
Ukraine and Moldova's accession processes are interlinked, with Hungary's concerns over the rights of the Hungarian-speaking minority in Ukraine causing the blockade. Discussions about decoupling Moldova's accession talks from Ukraine's have been ongoing, but no consensus has been reached yet.
Hungary's position remains firm following a nonbinding referendum opposing Ukraine's EU membership, and most EU officials expect this blockade to continue at least until the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April 2026.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been pursuing alternative diplomatic channels to encourage EU progress, despite Hungary's veto. He has held meetings with EU and NATO officials, including discussions about a Plan B that might circumvent Hungary's veto by starting some negotiation clusters without requiring a unanimous member state vote.
On the other hand, Bosnia and Herzegovina, recognised as a candidate but yet to begin formal accession negotiations or open chapters, lags behind other candidates like Montenegro or Albania. Their process is still preparing for the negotiation framework.
In Bosnia, the appointment of the chief negotiator is crucial to start the accession process. Cooperation with Republika Srpska is also essential for the country to start the accession process and continue with the reform agenda.
Western Balkan countries, including Bosnia, have been waiting longer than Ukraine and Moldova in the EU's waiting room. Dialogue between Ukraine and Hungary over the Hungarian minority is ongoing, with the Polish presidency supporting the ongoing dialogue.
The first negotiating chapter with Ukraine would focus on rule of law and anti-corruption. The EU Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos, believes this chapter could be opened during Poland's EU presidency, which ends on 30 June.
| Country | Accession Status | Main Obstacles | Dialogue/Ongoing Developments | |------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Ukraine | Candidate status; no chapters opened | Hungary’s veto over minority rights | Plan B discussions to sidestep veto; Zelenskyy negotiating with EU officials[1][2][3] | | Moldova | Candidate status; no chapters opened | Blocked as linked with Ukraine | Possible decoupling to advance alone; parliamentary elections Sept 2025[1] | | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Candidate; accession talks not started | General slow progress | No chapter opening yet; still preparing negotiation framework[4][5] | | Hungary | Blocking Ukraine and Moldova | Ethnic minority rights in Ukraine | Nonbinding referendum confirms strong opposition; position likely stable until 2026 elections[1] | | Austria, Germany | No reported blocking role | None identified | Engaged in broader EU-Ukraine defense and political talks[3] |
In conclusion, the major current obstacle to the accession negotiations of Ukraine and Moldova is Hungary’s veto tied to Hungarian minority rights in Ukraine, which also stalls Moldova due to the linked process. Bosnia’s accession remains delayed due to overall slow progress in negotiations. Key EU countries like Austria and Germany are not reported to be obstacles at this time, while diplomatic efforts continue to find ways forward despite the blockade[1][2][3][4][5].
- The situation regarding the accession process of Ukraine and Moldova remains at a standstill, with no chapters opened as of August 2025.
- The primary obstacle for Ukraine and Moldova's accession is Hungary's veto, which stems from concerns over the rights of the Hungarian-speaking minority in Ukraine.
- Discussions about decoupling Moldova's accession talks from Ukraine's have been ongoing, but no consensus has been reached yet.
- The Hungarian position remains firm following a nonbinding referendum opposing Ukraine's EU membership, and most EU officials expect this blockade to continue at least until the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April 2026.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been pursuing alternative diplomatic channels to encourage EU progress, including discussions about a Plan B that might circumvent Hungary's veto.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, another candidate country, lags behind other candidates like Montenegro or Albania in the accession process.
- The appointment of the chief negotiator is crucial for Bosnia to start the accession process and continue with the reform agenda.
- Cooperation with Republika Srpska is essential for Bosnia to start the accession process.
- Western Balkan countries, including Bosnia, have been waiting longer than Ukraine and Moldova in the EU's waiting room.
- Dialogue between Ukraine and Hungary over the Hungarian minority is ongoing, with the Polish presidency supporting the ongoing dialogue.
- The first negotiating chapter with Ukraine would focus on rule of law and anti-corruption.
- The EU Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos, believes this chapter could be opened during Poland's EU presidency, which ends on 31 June.
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