Hungary blocks EU opening of Ukraine’s final two negotiation clusters
Hungary again refused to approve the screening results for clusters 4 and 5, preventing their opening in Ukraine’s EU accession talks. The decision was made at a Council of the EU working group on eastern enlargement. Hungary attributed the delay to the need for further review, while Ukraine still hopes to open the clusters by the end of 2026.
Key points
- Hungary blocked approval of the screening results for clusters 4 and 5 on 10 November 2025.
- The clusters remain closed for both Ukraine and Moldova.
- Cluster 4 covers the green agenda and sustainable connectivity.
- Cluster 5 covers resources, agriculture and cohesion policy.
- Ukraine cannot advance to the opening of clusters 4 and 5 without Hungary’s approval.
- Hungary cited a need for further document review.
- Ukraine expects the two clusters to open by the end of 2026.
Why it matters
Hungary’s refusal prevents Ukraine from advancing to the next stage of the accession process and keeps the final two clusters closed. These chapters concern the green agenda and sustainable connectivity, as well as resources, agriculture and cohesion policy.
What happened
At a working group of the Council of the EU on eastern enlargement on 10 November, Hungary again declined to approve the screening results for clusters 4 and 5 and did not authorize their opening. Without Budapest’s consent, Ukraine cannot move to the next stage of the negotiations. Hungary’s position remained unchanged, with the delay attributed to the need for further examination of documents under the relevant negotiating chapters.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes that the blockage delays Ukraine’s progression through the EU accession negotiations and notes Ukraine’s expectation that clusters 4 and 5 will open by the end of 2026. The reporting also links the cluster openings to Hungary’s earlier demands concerning national-minority education rights.
Background
Hungary had blocked the opening of new negotiation clusters for several months, including demands for education legislation for national minorities. It lifted its veto on the second and third clusters on 7 October, and the EU formally opened them on 13 October. The openings followed the Verkhovna Rada’s adoption of amendments to the education law in both readings and as a whole.