---
title: "Negotiations Begin: Ukraine and Moldova Open First EU Accession Chapter"
description: "Ukraine and Moldova have officially begun negotiations on the first chapter of EU accession. Experts call this a step towards continental security but warn of difficulties with reforms. 🇪🇺🇺🇦🇲🇩"
date: 2026-06-14T16:02:34.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-and-moldova-start-negotiations-for-eu-accession
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Negotiations Begin: Ukraine and Moldova Open First EU Accession Chapter

![President Zelenskyy, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen join hands in a gesture of unity ahead of negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU.](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/14/ukraina-i-moldova-start-peregovorov-po-vstupleniyu-v-es/ukraina-i-moldova-start-peregovorov-po-vstupleniyu-v-es-1.webp)

On Monday in Luxembourg, the first stage of negotiations for the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union officially begins. According to The Guardian, key EU representatives and ministers from both countries will begin discussing the first chapter — the EU acquis section concerning the rule of law and democracy.

This decision became possible following the change of government in Hungary during the April elections. Last Friday, EU member states unanimously agreed to open the first chapter. This paves the way for negotiations in other areas, including the single market, environment, as well as economic and social policy.

### Political Support and Timelines

In a joint statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa highly praised the "determination, courage, and hard work" demonstrated by both countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the news as follows: "Ukraine is doing what is necessary, and it is important that the EU is also keeping its word. Opening the first chapter is significant political and moral support for our state and our people".

EU officials estimate that with sufficient political will, Ukraine could complete technical negotiations in approximately four years. However, they emphasize that final membership is a political decision requiring the adoption of thousands of EU laws and unanimous approval by all member states.

### Expert Opinion: Security and Reality

Heather Grabbe, an expert from the Bruegel think tank and former enlargement advisor to the European Commission, calls the opening of the first chapter a significant step. "This is the beginning of the process of concluding an accession deal, so it is very important," she noted.

However, the expert warns that for Ukraine, this will be a test of endurance: accelerated adoption, implementation, and compliance with EU laws is impossible and will incur administrative costs. Grabbe insists on a "security first" approach for Kyiv, proposing to integrate the country into EU security and defense policy as quickly as possible, where legislation is relatively more flexible.

"Given that Ukraine is the most serious player in the field of security and defense on the continent, the only one with battle-hardened troops and a serious arsenal of effective weapons on the modern battlefield dominated by drones, the worst scenario for European security would be if some future Ukrainian government turned against the EU and became Eurosceptic," Grabbe stated.

In her words, the EU needs Ukraine no less than Ukraine needs the EU to ensure common future security.

### Reforms and Corruption Investigations

EU officials generally praise Kyiv's reform efforts. High-profile arrests, including the detention last month of the Head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, who was officially notified of suspicion in a major corruption investigation (he denies all charges), are perceived in Brussels as a positive sign of the authorities' seriousness of intent.

Nevertheless, the praise is overshadowed by disappointment with the pace of reforms. Ukraine has implemented only 15% of the 10-point plan agreed in December 2025 between EU Enlargement Commissioner Martti Kos and Vice Prime Minister Taras Kachka.

The plan includes strengthening the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), adopting an anti-corruption strategy, as well as reforming the procedures for appointing judges and prosecutors.

### The Role of Hungary and Germany's Position

The opening of the first negotiation chapter became possible after Hungary lifted its blockade: Kyiv and Budapest managed to agree on 10 out of 11 requirements for EU integration.

In May 2026, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the EU to move to the practical stage of negotiations as soon as possible, emphasizing that bilateral disputes between Kyiv and Budapest should not block Ukraine's path to European integration. In early June, the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU began preparations for the official opening of the first chapter.