Hungary blocks opening of four clusters in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations

Hungary continues to block Ukraine’s accession to the European Union by obstructing the opening of the last four negotiating clusters.

This is reported by Deutsche Welle, citing sources.

According to the outlet, the reason for Budapest’s blockage is unresolved issues concerning the rights of the Hungarian national minority in Zakarpattia. This was stated by a senior official at EU institutions on condition of anonymity.

The same source said that Hungarian diplomats representing Budapest’s interests in Brussels “are following instructions coming from above, from the capital.”

“If the prime minister says to act this way, the ambassador is forced to do so, otherwise he will have to resign,” the DW interlocutor added.

Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations are structured into six thematic clusters. Two of them were opened in June and July 2026. The remaining four are technically ready to be opened — Kyiv has fulfilled all the necessary conditions for this, the European Commission stated. However, their opening requires consensus among all 27 EU member states, DW notes.

Strana had previously also written that the unresolved issue of expanded rights for the Hungarian national minority is the cause of strained relations between Ukraine and Hungary.

Meanwhile, Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Anita Orbán stated that “misunderstandings” with Ukraine had been resolved and the country could join the “Carpathian Eight.”