EU to start membership talks with Ukraine, aid effort stalls

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reacting to some mixed news coming from the European Union. On Thursday, Dec. 14, the EU agreed to start membership talks with Ukraine, despite opposition from Hungary’s prime minister, the closest ally to Russia in the group.

However, the bloc could not agree on a $54 billion aid package for Ukraine. It’s not clear when talks for Ukraine’s entry into the EU will begin, a process that could take years but is still seen as a victory for Zelenskyy.

The #EUCO decision to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova has been adopted.
 
I thank everyone who worked for this to happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day.
 
I also congratulate Moldova and personally @SanduMaiamd.…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2023

The Ukrainian president posted on X, “I thank everyone who worked for this to happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day.”

The EU has also agreed to start talks with Moldova, which, like Ukraine, is another former Soviet Union republic.

We welcome the EU’s historic decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, a crucial step toward fulfilling their Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We also welcome important progress for Georgia and continue to support the EU aspirations of the Western Balkans.

— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) December 14, 2023

As for the economic aid, EU leaders said 26 of the 27 member states agreed on the package, all but Hungary, and the decision needs to be unanimous. Talks are set to resume early next year.

Another blow to Ukraine with funding talks in the U.S. stalling despite Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, D.C. to talk to Congressional leaders this week. On Thursday, Dec. 14, speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced the House has adjourned for holiday break seemingly pushing any chance at more funding into the new year.

The Senate; however, is staying to work get to work on a package that would include aid to Ukraine and Israel, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Though anything passed through the Senate would have to go to the House for a vote, and Johnson said “the House will not wait around to receive and debate a rushed product.”