Ukraine has taken an important step in the process of European integration — it has completed the screening of three key clusters within the accession negotiations with the European Union
This was reported by European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi during a briefing in Brussels at the start of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on May 20. According to the commissioner, the Ukrainian delegation has already performed a significant portion of the assessment work to ensure compliance with EU standards in the three most important areas of the negotiation process. These are three clusters: the first — "Fundamentals," the second — "Internal Market," and the sixth — "External Relations." The completion of the screening of these areas is a critical milestone that opens the way for further advancement in the integration procedure. Commissioner Varhelyi emphasized: "Ukraine has done its homework, and now it is ready to open Cluster 1 — 'Fundamentals'." She added that last week Ukraine sent two additional reports to the Council, specifically concerning clusters 2 and 6, relating respectively to the internal market and external relations. Similarly, these documents were also sent to Moldova, which is a participant in this process as well. Varhelyi expressed optimism about the pace of work, stating, "If the progress continues at the current speed, all screenings will be completed by autumn." This message has become particularly important for both Ukraine and European partners. The European Commissioner underlined: "Ukraine's integration into the EU will become a key element of security guarantees for our region after peace negotiations begin. I want it to be clear — this is not only about Ukraine’s security but also about the security of all Europe, its stability, and protection." The task of screening is not merely a technical phase but a presentation to the European community of Ukraine’s readiness to move further by fulfilling all necessary criteria and standards. However, the process faces political obstacles. In particular, in January 2025, the European Commission already submitted its first report on the "Fundamentals" cluster to the EU Council. But in February of this year, the situation unexpectedly escalated — Hungary, an important regional partner, blocked the opening of the first cluster due to so-called "consultations" with the population regarding Ukraine’s EU accession prospects. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has already voiced his opposition publicly, expressing his stance against Ukraine's membership in the Union, which adds tension to the process. Analysts note that such actions not only affect the negotiation dynamics but also carry significant political implications. For a deeper understanding of the state of Ukrainian-Hungarian relations, we recommend reading the article by "European Pravda" editor Serhiy Sydorenko titled "Orbán’s Ukrainian plan: how the Hungarian leader wants to use Ukraine to win the elections." The article provides a detailed analysis of Hungary’s role in international developments and its intention to manipulate the situation, leveraging Ukraine’s EU integration process for its political interests.