Copenhagen, Denmark—The European Union is on the cusp of a potentially historic shift in its accession procedures, driven by an urgent need to expedite Ukraine's path to membership. Concerns over the process being continuously derailed by a single dissenting state—namely, Hungary—have spurred high-level diplomatic efforts to amend the stringent unanimity rule currently governing the process.
António Costa, President of the European Council, has emerged as the central figure in this push. According to reports from Politico Europe on September 29, Costa is actively consulting with EU heads of state on a proposal that would allow incremental progress in the accession negotiations even without the full consensus of all 27 member states. This move is a direct response to the persistent obstruction by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government maintains close ties with Russia and has used its veto to stall Kyiv's progress since it gained candidate status in 2022.
The current accession procedure is segmented into several clusters—covering areas like taxation, judiciary, and security—each requiring unanimous consent from all existing members before the next stage can begin. Hungary has consistently blocked joint statements and negotiation steps, effectively wielding a significant political weapon against Ukraine's integration. Just last month, Orbán was the sole leader to refuse to endorse a joint statement affirming support for Ukraine's EU path.
Diplomatic sources suggest Costa’s proposal aims to create a mechanism where, for specific, non-critical stages, opposition from a minor number of countries would not completely halt the negotiations. "It's an attempt to circumvent the unconditional opposition of Prime Minister Orbán," one EU diplomat noted.
The crucial debate is slated for the upcoming EU Summit scheduled for October 1-2 in Copenhagen. Leaders will engage in intense discussions regarding the viability and legal framework for such a fast-track, non-unanimous procedure. While acknowledging the strategic importance of bringing Ukraine into the bloc, especially amid the ongoing war, some member states remain cautious about diluting the principle of consensus, fearing it could set a contentious precedent for future EU decision-making. The outcome of the Copenhagen summit is expected to be a key indicator of the EU’s resolve to both deepen its internal structures and broaden its borders in the face of geopolitical challenges.
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