European Union leaders reached a milestone decision on Thursday to begin formal membership talks with Ukraine, despite widespread resistance from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Orban's opposition led to hungs that blocked EU funding worth 50 billion euros ($55 billion) earmarked for Kyiv. The European Council approved the membership talks, moving Kyiv closer to realizing its ten-year goal of joining the EU, a move that was strongly welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The decision serves as a powerful message to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid concerns over wavering Western support for Ukraine in the face of Moscow's invasion.

However, Hungary's veto against the financial aid package was a roadblock, with Orban citing concerns about his country's frozen funds over rule of law disputes, and maintaining the option to halt Ukraine's accession at any time. EU leaders, excluding Hungary, remain optimistic about finding alternate means to assist Ukraine, even without the unanimous EU backing for the aid package. Despite the obstacles ahead, the decision represents a significant step toward Kyiv's EU membership.

EU President Ursula von der Leyen described the outcome as "strategic" and "a day that will remain engraved in the history of the European Union," while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hope in finding solutions to support Ukraine. Reactions from the Kremlin and other EU member states showcased the polarizing nature of the decision, with the stage set for further discussions at an emergency summit in early 2024. While the road to membership remains lengthy, EU leaders emphasized that the decision to initiate talks was an important display of solidarity.