Kyiv, 15 December 2023 (TDI): European Union (EU) leaders agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Thursday in a surprise decision during a two-day summit of the bloc’s 27 member states.
The decision was applauded by European Council President Charles Michel, who described it as “a clear signal of hope for their people and our continent.” “A victory for Ukraine, a victory for all of Europe,” declared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Moreover, Hungary has long opposed talks starting with Kyiv but did not veto the move.
While the other 26 leaders carried out the vote, Prime Minister Viktor Orban briefly exited the meeting in what officials described as a pre-agreed and constructive manner.
He then distanced himself from his colleagues saying, “EU membership of Ukraine is a bad decision. Hungary does not want to participate in this bad decision, and therefore stayed away from the decision today.”
Furthermore, Zelenskyy hailed the decision as victory for Ukraine and all of Europe.
“This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens,” Zelensky said.
Adding, “History is made by those who don’t get tired of fighting for freedom.”
The European Council’s statement was made almost two years after the group acknowledged Ukraine as a candidate nation, even though the country has been hoping to join the EU for more than a decade.
Ukraine and Moldova applied to join the EU after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. They were both given candidate status last June, while Georgia was passed over at the time.
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EU leaders said that not voting in favor of Ukraine before the end of the year could be seen as a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
