On March 17, 2025, a Ukrainian delegation in Brussels received the European Union’s conditions for accession across three final negotiation clusters. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced this development, marking a significant step in Ukraine’s EU integration efforts.
The clusters outlined include:
- “Competitiveness and Inclusive Development,”
- “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity,”
- “Resources, Agriculture, and Cohesion Policy.”
Svyrydenko emphasized that Ukraine now possesses a complete package of conditions that must be fulfilled for its EU membership. She noted that in December 2024, Ukraine had already received conditions for three other clusters:
- “Fundamentals of the EU Accession Process,”
- “Internal Market,”
- “External Relations.”
“We are confidently advancing along our Euro-integration path. The next steps involve successfully closing the clusters and signing the accession agreement, which will be the final step toward Ukraine’s full EU membership,” Svyrydenko stated.
By December 19, 2025, it was reported that Ukraine had completed all necessary procedures to open all six negotiation clusters for EU accession. On October 2, 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, urging EU leaders to open the clusters for Ukraine’s accession.
Despite Ukraine’s technical readiness and government approval of negotiation positions, the actual opening of the clusters requires unanimous agreement from all 27 EU member states. This consensus principle poses a significant challenge for Ukraine at this stage.
Currently, Hungary represents the main obstacle in this process. Budapest has consistently vetoed or delayed decisions concerning Ukraine’s Euro-integration, citing various demands related to minority rights. Additionally, Hungary, often alongside other neighboring countries, has expressed concerns about competition from Ukraine’s agricultural sector, calling for protective measures for its farmers.
Since early 2025, Hungary has blocked the opening of negotiation clusters regarding Ukraine’s EU membership. The Hungarian government has stated that “Ukraine’s EU membership would be a burden for both the bloc and Hungary.”
Hungary conducted a consultative referendum on Ukraine’s EU accession, presenting a list of “seven key threats” that, according to the government, could arise from Ukraine’s membership. These include economic risks, migration, impacts on the pension system, and job security.
The Hungarian government also sent letters to citizens urging them to oppose Ukraine’s EU membership during the consultative referendum. On June 26, 2025, Prime Minister Viktor Orban reiterated his opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession, claiming it could lead to war on Hungarian territory. He announced the referendum results, which indicated that over two million Hungarians participated, with 95% voting against Ukraine’s EU membership.
Despite its designation, this referendum does not carry legal weight, and its results are not binding on the government. However, Prime Minister Orban has utilized the survey as a political pressure tool against EU partners.
Peter Madyar, leader of the Hungarian opposition party Tisza, remarked that only 600,000 Hungarians participated in the consultative referendum, while the total population of Hungary exceeds 9.5 million. In Kyiv, this initiative has been described as a political manipulation.
Ukraine has received conditions for EU membership across three negotiation clusters, marking progress in its integration efforts. However, Hungary's ongoing opposition poses significant challenges to the accession process.