Budapest once again blocks opening of final negotiation clusters for Ukraine

Hungary once again hindered Ukraine's progress in the process of joining the European Union. During a meeting of the EU Council Working Party on Enlargement (COELA) in Brussels held on 27 October, Budapest refused to approve the screening results for negotiation clusters 4 and 5.

Diplomats confirm Budapest's unchanged position

This was reported by several EU diplomats familiar with the course of the meeting. According to them, Hungary still does not support further progress in the process of opening these last two clusters in negotiations with Ukraine.

«Позиція Угорщини не змінилася» ("Hungary's position has not changed"), one diplomat stated.

The interlocutors note that the Irish presidency of the EU Council was aware in advance of Hungary's intentions to maintain its view on opening these blocks. Despite this, the issue was again included in the agenda of the working party on 27 October.

Political pressure on Budapest

Another diplomat expressed the view that the repeated discussion of this issue was rather of a political nature. In his opinion, it was a way to increase pressure on Budapest, rather than a real attempt to achieve a positive decision at this specific meeting.

What the unfinished clusters include

Cluster 4, "Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity", covers, among other things, transport, energy, trans-European networks, environment, and climate change. Cluster 5, "Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion Policy", includes issues of agriculture, fisheries, regional policy, and budgetary provisions.

These two blocks are the last ones not yet opened for Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities expect them to be opened by the end of 2026.