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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Lisa O'Carroll in Brussels

EU sidesteps Viktor Orbán to open membership talks with Ukraine

European Council president,  Charles Michel
The European Council president, Charles Michel, called the decision over Ukraine ‘a clear signal of hope for their people and our continent’. Photograph: Johanna Geron/Reuters

The EU has decided to open membership negotiations with Ukraine, in an unexpected move that will be a critical boost to Volodymyr Zelenskiy and deal a blow to Vladimir Putin.

The announcement, made on Thursday after eight hours of tense negotiations in Brussels, came despite the opposition of Hungary, whose prime minister, Viktor Orbán, had for weeks said it would veto any opening of accession talks.

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