EU Opens Door for Ukraine and Moldova to Begin Membership Talks After Orbán's Exit

Following Viktor Orbán’s electoral defeat, the EU is ready to unblock negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova, with the first negotiating clusters likely to open within weeks and perhaps by June, though unanimous 27-state approval remains required. Budapest’s new government is expected not to block the process, allowing Kyiv and Chisinau to pursue full accession on a path aimed at wrapping up most steps by 2027, with Kyiv insisting on full membership rather than symbolic status and Moldova seeking timely progress before summer.