Ukraine’s EU bid: Nordic, Baltic states push for acceleration as Hungary resists

Six European countries have called on the European Union to urgently set out a clear path for Ukraine’s accession, warning that Hungary's opposition is jeopardizing Kyiv’s future in the bloc.

In a joint letter obtained by POLITICO on March 18, the foreign ministers of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia urged Brussels to produce “concrete proposals on how to decisively advance Ukraine’s accession process”, per Caliber.Az.

Their appeal comes as European leaders rush to strengthen support for Ukraine, especially amid growing uncertainty about continued US backing.

“Reaffirming full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of Ukraine, we call for accelerating the accession process,” the letter states. “The time has come for ambitious and effective decisions in this regard.”

Although European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has suggested that Ukraine could join the bloc by 2030, the signatory nations are pushing for concrete steps to ensure that timeline is met.

“Ukraine has shown remarkable reform progress — now it is time for us to mobilize the efforts to help Ukraine make this happen,” the letter emphasizes.

Ukraine has been implementing wide-ranging political, economic, and institutional reforms while simultaneously defending its territory and infrastructure against Russian aggression. However, the letter also stresses that the enlargement process should remain “predictable and based on own merits” and that “bilateral issues that run counter to the Union’s overall strategic interests must not be used to block progress but rather solved through dialogue in good faith.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been a staunch opponent of Ukraine’s swift accession, with Hungarian diplomats repeatedly raising objections during EU negotiations aimed at aligning Kyiv’s institutions with European standards.

On March 15, Orbán reiterated Budapest’s opposition, claiming that Brussels had promised Ukraine rapid EU admission in exchange for continuing military actions. Hungary has also argued that Ukraine is failing to protect the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia and is taking actions that threaten the energy security of Central Europe. These concerns have been central to Hungary’s resistance to Ukraine’s integration into European structures.

Earlier, an emergency EU defence summit was forced to delay adopting a supporting statement for Ukraine due to Hungary’s objections. Orbán has also initiated a national poll in Hungary regarding Ukraine’s EU accession.

In December 2023, EU leaders in Brussels agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, marking a major step toward their future integration. However, Hungary’s persistent opposition continues to stall the process, raising concerns among Kyiv’s allies that further delays could weaken Ukraine’s European ambitions at a critical moment.

By Tamilla Hasanova