European Parliament urges swift start to Ukraine’s accession talks

The document also stated Ukraine should prioritize domestic reforms required to become a full member of the EU.

MEPs praised Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions and urged Kyiv to maintain the momentum. 

“Parliament encourages the Ukrainian government to keep up the pace on implementing EU-related reforms, and reaffirms the EU’s commitment to a just and lasting peace,” the resolution said.

“Parliament urges the European Commission to open negotiation clusters to advance Ukraine’s EU membership bid at the fastest pace possible, subject to its continued implementation of the EU’s rulebook and completion of reforms already launched.”

The vote passed with 418 votes in favor, 135 against, and 41 abstentions.

On Aug. 27, media reports said hopes were fading that Hungary would lift its veto on opening accession talks with Ukraine amid rising tensions between Budapest and Kyiv. 

On Aug. 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump to press Hungarian PM Viktor Orban not to block Ukraine’s EU bid.