European Council President Urges Swift Start to Ukraine’s Membership Talks
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, European Council President António Costa expressed the European Union’s desire to initiate official membership negotiations with Ukraine as soon as possible. Speaking in Oslo following a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Costa emphasized the critical importance of maintaining momentum in the EU’s enlargement process. While unable to provide a precise timeline, he conveyed optimism that these negotiations could begin in the coming years.
Costa lauded Ukraine’s efforts in implementing the reforms required for EU accession, even while facing the challenges of war. He also referenced the proposed concept of “gradual membership” for Ukraine, a strategy intended to circumvent opposition from Hungary and streamline the country’s accession process.
The European Union had previously decided to open membership talks with Ukraine in December 2023. However, the implementation has been delayed due to objections from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has repeatedly voiced his opposition to Ukraine’s full membership in the bloc.
Ukraine officially submitted its membership application on February 28, 2022, and was granted candidate status by the European Council in June of the same year. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Moscow has stated that the war’s conclusion is contingent on Kyiv renouncing its aspirations to join Western military alliances, a condition that Ukraine views as interference in its internal affairs.
