Zelenskyy hails ‘victory’ as EU agrees to open membership talks for Ukraine | European Union News – Canada Boosts

European Council President Charles Michel says settlement a ‘signal of hope for their people and for our continent’.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed a “victory” for Ukraine and the European continent after European Union leaders agreed to open membership talks together with his nation regardless of months of opposition from Hungary about Kyiv becoming a member of.

The choice was introduced on Thursday at a summit of the 27 EU nations, at which the bloc additionally agreed to open formal membership negotiations with Moldova.

European Council President Charles Michel, host of the summit, introduced the settlement in a social media put up, calling it “a clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent”.

Zelenskyy welcomed the choice as “a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens,” he stated in a put up on X.

European Fee chief Ursula von der Leyen stated it was “a strategic decision and a day that will remain engraved in the history of our union”.

“These countries belong to the European family,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated.

Michel stated the summit granted EU candidate standing to Georgia and would additionally advance an EU bid by one other hopeful – Bosnia and Herzegovina – as soon as it reaches “the necessary degree of compliance” with standards.

Hungary not within the summit room

EU diplomats stated Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, was not within the summit room for the vote on Ukraine however knew and agreed different leaders would vote in his absence. For weeks, Orban had promised to dam the deal, which on Thursday he known as a “bad decision”.

“Hungary’s stance is clear: Ukraine is not prepared for us to start talks on EU membership,” he stated, calling the choice “irrational” and “inappropriate”.

Hungary’s chief had gone into the summit additionally promising to disclaim Kyiv 50 billion euros ($54bn) in monetary help that the federal government desperately wants to remain afloat throughout its warfare with Russia.

“Twenty-six member states were adamant that this decision must be made, so Hungary decided that if 26 decide so, they should go on their own path and Hungary does not wish to participate in this bad decision,” Orban stated.

The EU, whose members nonetheless cherish their independence on strategic and overseas affairs points, typically works by consensus.

Negotiations proceed on the help for Ukraine, Orban stated.

Earlier this week, Zelenskyy travelled to the US, the place he lobbied for extra American help, however his request faces giant hurdles in passing the US Congress.

Some EU leaders had warned earlier within the day that not agreeing to begin negotiations with Ukraine would have been seen as a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine launched its bid to turn into a part of the EU after Moscow’s invasion in February 2022 and was formally named a candidate to affix in June that 12 months.

Fellow former Soviet republic and neighbour Moldova had utilized similtaneously Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine has breathed new life into the EU’s stalled push to tackle new members because the bloc seems to maintain Russian and Chinese language affect at bay.

In June 2022, the European Fee set Kyiv seven reform benchmarks to finish, together with tackling corruption and curbing the ability of its oligarchs, earlier than talks ought to begin.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal stated the EU’s resolution on Thursday confirmed that it “highly appreciated the reforms we have made in recent years and the implementation of all the recommendations of the European Commission”.

“A difficult path lies ahead. We are united and ready,” he stated.

The talks themselves are more likely to take years.

EU treaties oblige members to assist “by all means in their power” one other EU nation that’s sufferer of armed aggression on its territory. If Ukraine turns into an EU member whereas the warfare with Russia is ongoing, EU nations must respect that.

The EU would additionally purchase an extended new border with Russia and Belarus with implications for safety, migration and defence.