The European Union Greenlights Negotiations for Ukraine's Membership

On Thursday, December 14, EU leaders unexpectedly agreed to begin membership negotiations for Ukraine in this economic-political entity. Earlier, Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, had stated that he would block the start of these talks. EU diplomats and officials said that Mr. Orban, knowing that other leaders would vote in favor of starting Ukraine's membership negotiations, agreed to leave the voting location. Viktor Orban, who had called the negotiations for Ukraine's EU membership a 'bad decision,' confirmed that he refrained from participating in the vote at the EU leaders' summit in Brussels. He, considered one of the closest allies of Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, in Europe, had previously stated that Ukraine is 'light-years' away from EU membership. Such an unusual method of confirming a decision, especially one as significant as this, is unprecedented in Brussels. Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, whose country is engaged in war with Russia, welcomed the decision of EU member state leaders, calling it a victory for Ukraine and a victory for all of Europe. The European Council also decided on Thursday to start accession negotiations with Moldova. The final membership of Ukraine and Moldova in the EU may take years. Discussions among EU leaders regarding Ukraine's membership; Hungary is opposed. Disillusioned Russian volunteers from the Moscow war are joining Ukrainian soldiers to confront Putin.