Ukraine opens first EU membership talks cluster in Luxembourg
What's next: Kyiv now faces reforms on courts, democratic institutions and public procurement under the opening "fundamentals" chapter.
Ukraine opened the first phase of European Union accession talks on Monday in Luxembourg, launching negotiations on the opening policy cluster known as "fundamentals." The step moves Kyiv's membership bid into formal talks as it seeks closer integration with the West while fighting Russia's invasion. The first cluster covers the judiciary, democratic institutions and public procurement, requiring Ukraine to align its laws with EU standards. EU leaders agreed in December 2023 to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, but progress stalled amid opposition from Hungary's previous government. Talks advanced after Budapest and Kyiv reached an agreement this month on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.