Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.
Qatari PM: We must not surrender to the arrogance of extremists and pursue our quest for a 'two-state solution'
Qatari PM: The only path to peace begins through negotiations and a ceasefire

EU approves membership talks with Ukraine, Moldova

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 15 Dec 2023 00:49
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stands alone as the sole dissenting voice during the summit, which occurred at a crucial juncture for Ukraine.

  • x
  • European Union foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (AP)
    European Union foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (AP)

European Union leaders, during a summit in Brussels, Belgium, have approved the initiation of formal membership negotiations with Ukraine.

Additionally, Moldova is also under consideration for beginning accession talks aimed at securing EU membership. The decision, made on Thursday and attended by leaders from all 27 EU countries, was reached after the departure of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban from the room, ensuring a unanimous agreement to commence accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.

Previously, Hungary had issued a veto threat against Ukraine's EU accession.

Starting accession negotiations with #Ukraine is a bad decision. Hungary did not participate in the decision. pic.twitter.com/omYLSxefkI

— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 14, 2023

“Hungary does not want to be part of this bad decision!” Orban said in a post on Facebook. 

European Council President Charles Michel labeled the decision “a clear signal of hope for their people and our continent.”

Orban stood alone as the sole dissenting voice during the summit, which occurred at a crucial juncture for Ukraine.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rushed to greet the decision as “a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe.”

Related News

EU court voids approval for Russia to build Hungary nuclear plant

Viktor Orban urges EU leaders to sign security deal with Russia

This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens. https://t.co/zk44CeL5Ui

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2023

“A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens,” Zelensky said.

In February 2022, Ukraine and Moldova submitted applications for EU membership. Subsequently, at an EU summit in Brussels on June 23, 2022, both nations were awarded candidate status.

The big picture

The move comes at a crucial time for Kiev, which is facing uncertainty regarding future financial assistance from the United States and Europe. 

US President Joe Biden has pledged to send an additional $200 million in aid to Ukraine, as discussed in a meeting with Zelensky on Tuesday after Congress Republicans blocked a bill to send military aid worth almost $60 billion to Kiev.

Republicans are more openly rejecting the need to fund Ukraine, saying that Biden needs to devote more attention to domestic security, particularly to stopping illegal migration over the US-Mexican border.

Conservatives insisted on linking their approval of the package for these close foreign allies to Democrats and the White House agreeing to comprehensive immigration reforms. As per recent and popular demands, it is very unlikely that the House will pass any aid to Ukraine unless packaged with funds to secure the US-Mexican border. 

Moreover, it was noted that Zelensky must also strategize clearly, as funds were perceived to be sent to a battle that did not yield the anticipated results. Republicans have also questioned whether Ukraine should keep fighting at all.

It is worth noting that Biden's allocation of $200 million in aid does not rely on Congress' approval, instead, the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) will be supplying Kiev with US stock weaponry for the 44th time since the war began. 

Read next: Without US support, Ukraine stands no chance in war: Ukrainian MP

  • Hungary
  • Viktor Orban
  • EU Membership
  • EU
  • Ukraine
  • Moldova
  • European Union

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Damage sustained after a Yemeni drone exploded in Ramon Airport, southern occupied Palestine, Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Social Media)

Yemeni drone successfully hits Ramon Airport in southern Palestine

  • Politics
  • 7 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Palestinians run for cover during an Israeli military strike on a building in Gaza City, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Yousef Al Zanoun)
Politics

Israeli bombs kill 45 in Gaza as schools, homes targeted

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization
Palestine

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Hamas: Over one million in Gaza face ethnic cleansing
Palestine

Over one million in Gaza face ethnic cleansing: Palestinian Resistance

Head of the National Security Committee in Iran’s Parliament, MP Ebrahim Azizi. (Tasnim News Agency)
Politics

Iran parliament security chief: NPT exit on table if snapback invoked

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS