European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated in an interview with Radio Svoboda that the European Union intends to persuade Hungary not to block Ukraine’s EU membership progress through dialogue. She emphasized that Ukraine could open six negotiation clusters this year, provided the blockage is overcome.
In March 2025, the European Commission reported that Ukraine was ready to open its first negotiation cluster. However, Hungary, led by Viktor Orbán — Moscow’s closest ally within the EU — blocked the move, demanding that Ukraine restore its 2017 minority rights legislation.
"Ukraine has done enough — I can say this from my personal experience, as I facilitated dialogue between Hungary and Ukraine," Kos said. "Ukraine is ready to fulfill all requirements. But for Hungary, it is not enough. Now we must find a way to convince Hungary to allow the first cluster to open," she added.
Kos underlined the importance of maintaining dialogue with Hungary, citing the precedent from December 2023 when Hungary did not oppose Ukraine receiving EU candidate status, although it abstained from voting. During that summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to "go have coffee" during the vote.
She also mentioned that the outcome of Hungary’s public survey regarding support for Ukraine’s EU membership needs to be awaited. At the same time, Kos noted the importance of reactions from other EU states if Hungary continues its obstruction.
Hungary to keep blocking Ukraine’s EU accession
Kos stated that Russia’s war against Ukraine changed the essence of EU enlargement, saying:
"We are in some ways returning to the origins of the EU — ensuring peace, freedom, prosperity, and today we can add security."
Hungary to block Ukraine’s EU accession talks over language law
She expressed confidence that Ukraine’s EU membership is not in doubt and pointed out "huge support" among EU member states for Ukraine joining.
"Of course, there are specific issues to resolve, particularly regarding national minorities, but overall the support for Ukraine’s membership is strong," she said, mentioning the privileges sought by Hungary for Ukrainian citizens of Hungarian descent as real issues.
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