European Council President António Costa Pushes to Bypass Hungary's Veto on Ukraine's EU Accession

European Council President António Costa is advocating for a reform of the European Union's accession process to facilitate Ukraine's membership bid, which has been stalled by Hungary's veto. As of late September 2025, Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has consistently blocked the opening of negotiation clusters essential for Ukraine's EU accession, citing concerns over minority rights and geopolitical implications.

Kyiv IndependentEU Plans to Bypass Hungary’s Veto on Ukraine and Moldova AccessionThe EC President is advocating for changes to EU rules in order to overcome Hungary’s veto on Ukraine’s EU membership.Orbán to Dominate Agenda at Copenhagen EU Council Meeting

Costa's proposal seeks to allow the opening of negotiation clusters—key legal steps in the accession process—to be initiated with a qualified majority of EU member states rather than requiring unanimous consent. This change would enable Ukraine and Moldova to begin necessary reforms and demonstrate progress toward EU standards, even if one or two member states oppose the initiation of negotiations. While the final approval for accession would still necessitate unanimous agreement, this adjustment aims to alleviate the current stalemate caused by Hungary's objections.

European Commission supports António Costa's plan to avoid Hungary's veto on Moldova's EU accessionUkraine May Accelerate Path to EU MembershipKyiv IndependentUnited24 Media

Hungary's veto has been a significant barrier to Ukraine's EU aspirations since the country applied for membership shortly after Russia's invasion in February 2022. The EU's accession process is divided into six thematic negotiation clusters, with the first cluster focusing on fundamental rights and the rule of law. Despite Ukraine completing its legislative screening process, the opening of this first cluster remains blocked by Hungary.

Kyiv IndependentUnited24 MediaKyiv IndependentEU Plans to Bypass Hungary’s Veto on Ukraine and Moldova Accession

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who recently visited Ukraine, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in the accession process. She stated, “Ukraine has delivered. Ukraine is ready for the next step. It’s now up to member states to give the green light.” The European Commission has expressed support for Costa's initiative, highlighting that when a country is held back without objective reasons, it undermines the credibility of the enlargement process.

Politico Europe

Opposition to Costa's proposal primarily comes from Hungary, where officials argue that changing the rules would undermine EU treaties and the balance of power among member states. Hungarian EU Affairs Minister János Bóka warned that such a move would contradict established practices and could lead to a loss of institutional balance within the EU. Critics argue that this could set a dangerous precedent for how smaller member states secure their interests against larger powers.

Orbán to Dominate Agenda at Copenhagen EU Council Meeting

The issue is set to be discussed at an informal European Council meeting in Copenhagen on October 1, 2025. EU leaders will evaluate Costa's proposal and consider interim measures to keep the accession process active despite Hungary's veto. The outcome of this meeting could significantly impact the future of Ukraine and Moldova's EU membership bids.

Kyiv IndependentUkraine May Accelerate Path to EU MembershipOrbán to Dominate Agenda at Copenhagen EU Council MeetingUkraine’s EU accession: how Europe plans to bypass Hungary’s veto

• “When a country is held back for no objective reasons, despite meeting the criteria, the credibility of the entire enlargement process is at risk,” — Guillaume Mercier, European Commission Spokesman for Enlargement

Politico Europe

• “Ukraine must join the EU, and it will,” — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine

Zelensky: Ukraine will join the EU despite Hungary’s block

This ongoing diplomatic effort underscores the complexities of EU enlargement and the geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine's aspirations for EU membership amidst Hungary's resistance.

UsNews and World Report