The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are advancing in the EU accession process. The first negotiations begin on Monday. Ursula von der Leyen: “An important step forward”

The ambassadors of the 27 member states of the European Union agreed on Friday to advance the accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, with the first stage of discussions to begin on Monday, according to Reuters.

President Nicușor Dan on Friday welcomed the EU member states' decision to open the first cluster of accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

“A reference day for the history of the expansion of the European Union. The 27 member states have agreed to start accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, by opening the first cluster dedicated to fundamental values”, President Nicusor Dan wrote on Friday evening on X.

According to him, “Romania has supported the neighboring states since the beginning of this process and will continue to stand by them with expertise and multisectoral support throughout their European journey”.

“A united Europe, which expands its space of democracy, security and prosperity, is a stronger and more competitive Europe. The future of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine is in the European family,” the president also said.

Although Ukraine continues to face Russian invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made joining the European Union one of the country's main strategic goals, seeing it as a way to anchor Ukraine in the European political space.

The EU decided in December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, but the talks could not actually start due to the opposition of the former government of Hungary to Kyiv's candidacy for accession.

But the new government in Budapest this month reached an agreement with Kiev on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, paving the way for Hungary to lift its blockade of the first stage of accession negotiations.

During a meeting held on Friday in Brussels, the ambassadors of the member states agreed that both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova can start negotiations on the first “group” of public policy areas in which they must reform their legislation in order to comply with European Union standards.

In the EU accession process, candidate states negotiate several policy 'chapters', grouped into six thematic clusters, covering areas such as fundamental rights, the internal market and external relations.

“The European Union has taken another important step in the process of negotiations with our country. Today, the 27 member states unanimously adopted the common negotiating position for the official opening of the first group of chapters – “Fundamental values”, the cluster that is the basis of the entire process of preparation for accession.

This decision confirms the recognition of the reforms carried out and the progress made by our country, but also the trust of the 27 EU member states in Moldova and its citizens”, said the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Cristina Gherasimov.

“An important step forward”

“Today, the European Union has taken an important step forward,” the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said in a joint statement.

“At the first Intergovernmental Conference, which will take place on Monday, we will open the negotiations on the cluster dedicated to the fundamental aspects, the backbone of the accession process”, said the two leaders.

Today, the European Union took a major step forward.

All Member States agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.

At the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday, we will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession… pic.twitter.com/WSPU8CVPpg

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 12, 2026

The accession negotiations to the European Union are, as a rule, long-lasting and involve years of reforms and alignment with European standards.

António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen appreciated that the decision taken on Friday represents “a recognition of the determination, courage and sustained work shown by both countries in promoting reforms, even in the face of huge challenges”. At the same time, they described it as “a signal that the European Union's offer of peace, stability and opportunities is unparalleled”.

“Moldova is ready to open them all”

President Maia Sandu wrote on X that she had “a fruitful discussion” with Antonio Costa and welcomed the decision to open the first package of accession negotiations on Monday. “Moldova is ready to open them all – we have done our homework and we will continue to implement the reforms”, assured Maia Sandu. “I am looking forward to the EU-Moldova summit on June 22,” she said.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the EU leaders for Ukraine's support and congratulated the Republic of Moldova for opening negotiations. “The opening of the first cluster represents a significant political and moral support for our state and our people,” Zelenskiy said.

“I thank all our fellow citizens who fight for Ukraine, who act for our state and who contribute to the defense of our national interests. I also thank all our EU partners and each individual leader for this decisive step on behalf of Europe. Ukraine is defending itself and, through it, all of Europe – the idea that European nations can live together, free and in peace. As I said, Ukraine is doing what is necessary and it is important that the EU also keeps its word given”, the Ukrainian president wrote.

He also thanked Europe for “all the other forms of support – support that shows real leadership and helps us protect lives. Everything that was necessary was done to open the next clusters,” he says.

“We also congratulate Moldova for this step, which we are taking together”, emphasizes the leader from Kiev.