Ukraine's European integration minister expects Hungary to lift veto and remaining EU accession negotiating clusters to open by year-end

What Happened

Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, said Ukraine expects the remaining EU accession negotiating clusters — specifically clusters 2-3 and 4-5 — to be opened by the end of 2026. Chentsov stated this would become possible after Hungary lifts its veto on opening the clusters, a step Budapest has committed to taking after Ukraine adopts amendments to the Law 'On Education' concerning education in national minority languages. A bill on education in the languages of national minorities was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on 1 October. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed hope that adopting the legislative changes would allow the opening of the next two clusters.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The dispute over minority-language education has enabled Hungary to block Ukraine's EU accession progress. Unblocking clusters 2-3 and 4-5 would maintain momentum for Ukraine's European integration while Russia's full-scale invasion continues, and it demonstrates how bilateral member-state vetoes can shape EU enlargement policy and Ukraine's Western alignment.

Watch For

Monitor whether the Verkhovna Rada adopts the education amendments registered on 1 October, whether Hungary follows through on lifting its veto, and whether the EU opens clusters 2-3 and 4-5 by the end of 2026. Also watch for official confirmation from Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and other Ukrainian officials on the sequencing.