EU agrees to formal membership talks for Ukraine

The European Union announced Thursday it will open ascension negotiations with Ukraine, the largest step yet in the nation’s multiyear push for membership amid its war with Russia.

European Council President Charles Michel called the move “a clear signal of hope for their people and our continent.” 

“History is made by those who don’t get tired of fighting for freedom,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“I thank everyone who worked for this to happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day,” he said.

The EU will also consider ascension for Moldova, the body announced.

Leaders of the EU’s 27 members met in Brussels on Thursday for the first day of a summit focused on Ukraine. The body is considering a $54 billion package in military, economic and humanitarian aid for the country.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signaled Wednesday that Hungary would block the measure, but he was reportedly won over through hours of negotiation. The European Commission freed $10 billion set for Hungary just before the summit, frozen over concerns of democratic backsliding. 

Hungary is the loudest opponent of Ukraine backing in the EU. Orbán controversially met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.

The move doesn’t ensure that either Ukraine or Moldova will enter the union, and the ascension process would likely take years.

Pro-Ukrainian leaders in the EU pressed the case for the billions in aid, which come as the war in Ukraine stalemates on the front lines as winter sets in. 

“Ukraine will not stand without supports and ongoing support from both the European Union and the U.S.,” Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said. Barring that, he added, “well then, Putin will win.” 

Zelensky was also in the U.S. on Tuesday to meet with President Biden and congressional leaders in an attempt to secure additional aid. Congress remains deadlocked over a border security bill, which Republicans say is a prerequisite for Ukraine aid.

The most recent enlargement of the EU was in 2013 with the ascension of Croatia. Croatia initially applied for EU membership in 2003, with negotiations beginning in 2005.