Full Breakdown
European Council President António Costa Pushes for Ukraine's EU Membership Amid Hungary's Veto
9/30/2025, 12:20:14 AM
Efforts to Bypass Hungary's Obstruction
European Council President António Costa is advocating for a revision of the European Union's accession rules to facilitate Ukraine's bid for EU membership, despite ongoing opposition from Hungary. As of late September 2025, Hungary has consistently vetoed Ukraine's progress, preventing the opening of crucial negotiation clusters necessary for accession. Costa's proposal aims to allow the opening of these clusters with a qualified majority of EU member states, rather than requiring unanimous consent, which has been a significant barrier due to Hungary's veto.
Context of the Veto
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has justified his country's veto by citing concerns related to the ongoing war in Ukraine, energy security, and the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. This obstruction has persisted for over a year, stalling Ukraine's accession process at a critical juncture. The current rules mandate that all 27 EU member states must agree on each stage of the accession process, allowing any single state to halt progress.
Costa's Diplomatic Initiative
In an effort to garner support for his plan, Costa has engaged in a diplomatic campaign, meeting with various EU leaders during a "tour des capitales" and at the United Nations General Assembly. His initiative is seen as a strategic move to enhance the EU's geopolitical stance by advancing the membership bids of both Ukraine and Moldova, which are paired in the accession process. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has also emphasized Ukraine's readiness for the next steps, stating, "Ukraine has delivered. Ukraine is ready for the next step. It’s now up to member states to give the green light."
Implications for Ukraine and Moldova
If successful, Costa's proposal would enable Ukraine and Moldova to begin implementing necessary reforms to align with EU standards, even in the face of dissent from one or two member states. This approach could alleviate frustrations in Kyiv and Chisinau, allowing both countries to maintain momentum in their reform efforts. Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov has expressed urgency for the EU to reciprocate the pro-European sentiment demonstrated in recent elections, stating, "It’s the EU’s credibility in Moldova... the moment when one of the member states hesitates, then the whole union suffers around it."
Official Responses and Future Considerations
While the European Commission has acknowledged the potential for Costa's plan to be explored, it has not fully endorsed it, emphasizing that any changes to the accession process ultimately depend on member states' decisions. The Commission's spokesperson noted, "When a country is held back for no objective reasons despite meeting the criteria, the credibility of the entire enlargement process is at risk."
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Despite Costa's efforts, there remains uncertainty regarding whether his proposal will receive the necessary unanimous support from all member states. Some officials have indicated that while no leader has outright rejected the idea, the path forward remains complex and fraught with challenges.
Verbatim Quotes
- “All clusters have been screened, in record time. Ukraine has delivered. Ukraine is ready for the next step. It’s now up to member states to give the green light,” — Marta Kos, EU Enlargement Commissioner
- “He sees it as the most important geopolitical investment the EU can make. That’s why he believes it is important to continue discussing avenues to ensure that Ukraine’s reform efforts can be translated into tangible steps.” — Anonymous EU Official
- “When a country is held back for no objective reasons, despite meeting the criteria, the credibility of the entire enlargement process is at risk,” — Anonymous EU Diplomat
Costa's initiative will be a focal point at the upcoming summit in Copenhagen, where EU leaders will discuss the future of Ukraine's accession amid Hungary's persistent veto.
