Ukraine's efforts to join the EU will progress before the end of this year thanks to "creative solutions" to overcome Hungary's objections - Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister taras Kachka shared with the media in a recent interview.
EU leaders could sign the opening of up to six groups of talks, legal steps for EU entry, in December as political momentum is increasing and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces growing pressure not to exercise his voting rights over Ukraine's EU entry.
"You can complete the preparation to reopen all groups and if there is political motivation, all groups can be deployed by the end of the year," said Mr. Kachka.
In Brussels, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister taras Kachka said that Hungary's objection to Ukraine's EU entry is not insurmountable and that the solution will likely be found at a meeting of European leaders in December.
"I believe member states will find a solution in December," he said after sharing documents on Ukraine's internal reform with representatives of EU countries.
Mr. Kachka added that the direct meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban could resolve the issue of membership, although he could not say when and where the meeting would take place.
Ukraine has been given the political green light to begin EU entry negotiations in 2023 and has been negotiating for months to join the bloc. However, without the approval of all 27 EU countries, Kiev will not officially begin the process of joining the bloc.
"It is difficult to explain to the Ukrainian public what we need to wait for. Waiting is not the option. We need a solution right here and right now. This is important for Ukraine as well as the European Union," said Mr. Kachka.
The official green light for EU entry would mark a major victory for President Zelensky. Recently, US President Donald Trump has denied Kiev's efforts to join NATO, while Hungary is the main obstacle to its EU membership.
Mr. Kachka welcomed the initiative of European Council President Antonio Costa to facilitate Ukraine's EU entry, in which he strongly supported the removal of barriers.
antoniu Costa is really strong in this case. And I look forward to seeing if his initiative is a success, said Kachka.
Costa's move was rejected at an informal meeting of leaders in Copenhagen, but pro-EU expansion countries have made a new proposal to gain support not only from Hungary but also from other skeptical countries such as Bulgaria and Greece.
According to a new proposal being studied in Brussels, new members joining the EU will not have the right to challenge the policy decisions of the entire bloc. This will be equivalent to being a second-class member in the bloc.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Kachka did not comment specifically on the new proposal but praised "creative solutions" to address objections from Hungary and other EU governments.
