The European Union formally starts the first stage of accession negotiations with Ukraine, a process that begins about two years later than originally planned. Multiple reports link the delay to former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, who previously blocked progress on the talks before losing office. With Orban no longer in power, the EU moves forward with the accession process, opening negotiations intended to assess Ukraine’s alignment with EU rules and standards. The decision marks the beginning of a structured track of talks rather than immediate EU membership, with the first stage focused on bringing Ukraine into closer conformity with accession requirements. The EU’s action follows the end of the political impasse that had prevented the negotiations from starting. While the reports focus on the start date and the cause of the delay, they do not indicate a timetable for future stages or accession completion. The negotiations are now underway as the EU and Ukraine proceed through the initial framework for potential membership.