Timeline emerges for opening of first EU negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova

The European Commission is set to propose on 16 June that the first negotiating cluster be opened in the EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.

An official familiar with the matter told Euractiv that the European Commission is set to table the proposal at a meeting of ministers for European affairs in Brussels under the General Affairs Council.

Euractiv said this timescale will enable EU leaders to approve the decision at the European Council meeting in Brussels two days later.

Euractiv reported that the proposal refers specifically to the opening of the first negotiating cluster, rather than several at once, as Ukraine is seeking.

European Pravda reported earlier that Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna would like the EU to open all six negotiating clusters for Ukraine ahead of the June summit.

Following talks with his Hungarian counterpart Anita Orbán, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said accession negotiations should be opened by the end of the first half of 2026.

Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar set out Hungary's conditions for allowing the opening of the first cluster with Ukraine.