On April 22, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, expressed optimism regarding Ukraine’s prospects for European Union membership, citing recent political changes in Hungary. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Várhelyi noted that the new Hungarian government could facilitate advancements in negotiations between Ukraine and the EU.
Várhelyi stated, “With the current Hungarian government, we can move forward regarding the €90 billion loan. With the new administration, we hope to progress in the accession process. We have heard some positive signals from the incoming Prime Minister of Hungary, and this marks a significant shift.” He expressed confidence that the EU could soon officially open the first negotiation cluster with Ukraine, followed by the remaining clusters.
The Commissioner anticipates that progress could be made during Cyprus’s presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026. By the end of this year, he hopes all six negotiation clusters will be open for discussion.
Regarding the possibility of Ukraine’s gradual membership in the EU, initially without voting rights or access to EU funds—an idea proposed by France and Germany—Várhelyi confirmed that various concepts are currently being discussed with member states. He remarked, “There are many ideas on how we should revise the enlargement methodology, which was designed for peacetime. We are exploring ways to enhance gradual integration, given that the accession process can be lengthy and requires substantial effort.”
Várhelyi highlighted that gradual integration is already being successfully applied in economic areas such as roaming, the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), and energy. The ongoing discussions aim to identify additional sectors where similar principles could be implemented.
Following the recent parliamentary elections in Hungary, Péter Mándy, leader of the Tisza party, indicated that he would lift the veto imposed by current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the €90 billion loan to Ukraine. However, Mándy clarified that Hungary would not bear financial responsibility for this loan and expressed opposition to expedited Ukrainian EU membership. He emphasized that the normalization of relations with Kyiv would depend on the protection of the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
The recent shift in Hungary's political landscape may pave the way for renewed discussions on Ukraine's EU membership, according to EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi. With potential changes in Hungary's stance, officials are exploring various integration strategies while addressing concerns about minority rights.
Source: Radio Liberty