EU Accession: Hungary maintains block on final Ukrainian negotiating clusters

Hungarian diplomats blocked the approval of screening results for the final two clusters of Ukraine's European Union accession talks on Tuesday. The refusal occurred during a session of the Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession to the EU in Brussels. This action prevents the immediate start of negotiations in those specific policy areas.

The two clusters remain closed pending further agreement. Cluster 4, titled Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, governs transport, energy, trans-European networks, the environment, and climate change. Cluster 5, known as Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion Policy, covers agriculture, fisheries, regional policy, and budgetary provisions. These are the last two sets of rules Ukraine must negotiate before the process concludes.

EU diplomats told European Pravda that Hungary's stance had not shifted from its previous position. The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU reportedly knew in advance that Budapest would not support moving the process forward. Despite this knowledge, the issue remained on the agenda for the October 27 meeting. One diplomat described the re-discussion as a political tool designed to apply pressure on the Hungarian government rather than a realistic attempt to secure a positive vote at that specific session.

The delay impacts the timeline Ukrainian authorities have established for the process. Kyiv officials expect to open these final clusters by the end of 2026. The current blockage tests that deadline. The Hungarian veto follows a similar refusal reported on October 20, when Budapest also withheld approval for the necessary procedural steps to open these clusters.

The obstruction contrasts with recent progress in the negotiations. On October 13, the EU opened Cluster 2, Internal Market, and Cluster 3, Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth. Ukraine achieved this breakthrough after its parliament approved amendments to the education law, a move that removed Hungary's previous legal barrier. German Ambassador to Ukraine Boris Ruge recently stated that the ongoing war does not make Ukrainian accession impossible, according to an interview with European Pravda.

The situation now hinges on whether Budapest will alter its procedural stance before the end of the year. The Irish Presidency continues to lead the Council of the EU during this phase. Ukrainian negotiators remain in Brussels to address the remaining technical details. The next step in the formal procedure depends on the next scheduled meeting of the working party.