Ukraine’s EU accession bid advances after Kyiv passes minority rights law

The European Union will on Tuesday open new negotiation chapters with Ukraine, an essential step in Kyiv’s long path to join the bloc.

Ukrainian lawmakers on Monday passed legislation protecting the rights of national minorities, which removes a major hurdle in Kyiv’s bid for membership.

The status of the Hungarian-speaking minority in western Ukraine had long caused tensions with Budapest and Hungary had blocked Ukraine’s EU membership bid, officially submitted days after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

European Council President Antonio Costa on Monday said he welcomed “today’s decision by EU Member States to open two further negotiation clusters with Ukraine and Moldova”.

“We look forward to opening all remaining clusters as soon as possible,” he said, adding: “Your future lies in the EU. Let’s keep up the momentum!”

Aspiring members will have to carry out sweeping reforms in their countries to comply with EU norms ranging from environmental policy to agriculture.

Thirty-five negotiation chapters have to be completed and then a unanimous decision by the 27 member states to accept a new member is necessary to join the bloc.

The ratification by each member states can be through parliamentary approval or a referendum.