Overview

• Ukraine and Moldova have started the process of joining the European Union, a move seen as a shift away from Russian influence.
• The talks are largely symbolic for now, with detailed negotiations to follow after the EU reviews Ukrainian and Moldovan legislation.
• Hungary's opposition and its ties to Russia could complicate the accession process, but the EU has found legal workarounds to support Kyiv.
• Ukraine and Moldova face extensive reforms to meet EU standards, including combating corruption and aligning agricultural and customs regulations.
• The EU's expansion to include these countries may require significant changes to its own rules and governance structures.