Hungary blocking decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU, journalist reports

Photo: Hungary blocks the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine (Getty Images)

The EU ambassadors are unable to approve the draft negotiation framework for Ukraine's accession to the bloc. The reason is Hungary's position, according to Radio Liberty correspondent Rikard Jozwiak on Twitter.

As noted by the journalist, Hungary is blocking the decision on Ukraine due to 11 bilateral issues concerning national minorities in Ukraine.

The European Union wants to start accession negotiations with Ukraine at the end of June, but this requires a consensus among the ambassadors.

Negotiations on Ukraine's EU accession

The leaders of EU countries approved the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine back in December last year. At that time, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán did not participate in the vote.

In fact, the negotiations have not yet begun. For this to happen, the EU must approve the negotiation framework.

Recently, Politico reported that the EU wants the negotiations with Ukraine to start by July 1.