Published on 14/07/2026 – 10:24 GMT+2
Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union gained significant momentum on Tuesday when EU affairs ministers formally approved the initiation of Cluster 6 negotiations, marking a critical step in the country’s accession process.
“We have today reached another milestone on Ukraine’s EU membership journey by opening another key negotiating cluster,” Irish Minister of State Thomas Byrne said following the announcement. “This is a testament to the country’s commitment to move forward as quickly as possible.”
Ireland, holding the rotating EU Council Presidency, spoke on behalf of the 27 EU member states during the discussions. Cluster 6 focuses on external relations and represents a core pillar of the EU accession framework. Ukraine previously opened Cluster 1 in June, which addresses fundamentals and rule of law.
Cluster 6 is also set to open for Moldova on the same day, with both nations’ accession pathways closely linked. Meanwhile, Albania and Montenegro are expected to close additional accession chapters in a coordinated push termed a “Super Tuesday” for Western Balkan candidates.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos emphasized the need to translate progress into tangible results during Tuesday’s meeting, stating, “Today’s momentum must now be turned into delivery on the ground.”
Resuming Stalled Progress
Ukraine and Moldova both submitted EU membership applications following Russia’s 2022 invasion, seeking to strengthen their security and diplomatic alignment with the West. The recent cluster openings signal the end of a two-year impasse, largely driven by Hungarian opposition under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had blocked progress over concerns regarding the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine.
The stalemate ended after Orbán’s electoral defeat in Hungary, allowing the new government under Péter Magyar to collaborate with Ukrainian officials on resolving the minority issue. The European Commission has confirmed that both countries are technically prepared to open all remaining clusters, with further advancement now contingent on consensus among EU member states.
