Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys called on the European Union to accelerate Ukraine’s membership process and end what he described as artificial delays, saying Kyiv’s accession would strengthen the security of Europe as a whole.
His remarks on Monday, Oct. 12, followed Ukraine’s adoption of legislation expanding educational rights for indigenous peoples and national minorities, a key condition set by Hungary for advancing EU membership negotiations.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
“Ukraine’s EU accession is a security guarantee for the EU just as for Ukraine, and we shall seek every opportunity to make it a reality, the faster, the better. No more moving targets! No more artificial delays!” Budrys wrote on X.
The Lithuanian diplomat praised Kyiv for fulfilling its commitments through concrete reforms despite Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion.
“Today, by adopting legislation on the educational rights of indigenous peoples and national minorities, Ukraine has delivered on its part,” Budrys wrote, describing Ukraine as a reliable partner willing to address outstanding issues.
His intervention came as EU member states unanimously agreed to advance two additional accession negotiating clusters for Ukraine and Moldova, following months of delays over Hungary’s demands.
Ukraine’s parliament adopted Bill No. 16119 on Monday, expanding opportunities for children from national minorities and indigenous communities to receive education in their native languages alongside Ukrainian.
Other Topics of Interest
Russia Strikes Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles After Deadly Drone Attack Kills Two
Russia fired six ballistic missiles at the capital, hitting transport and warehouse facilities after an earlier drone strike killed two residents.
The legislation received 273 votes in its first reading and 266 in the final vote.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the legislation later the same day.
The changes address long-standing concerns raised by Budapest over education rights for Ukraine’s ethnic Hungarian minority, concentrated mainly in the western Zakarpattia region.
The law allows schools where more than half of pupils study in an eligible minority language to obtain special status, while preserving Ukrainian as the state language of instruction.
Its expanded protections apply to official EU languages and the languages of Ukraine’s indigenous peoples, but not Russian.
EU agrees to advance two negotiating clusters
All 27 EU member states unanimously agreed on Monday to move forward with the opening of Cluster 2, covering the internal market, and Cluster 3, covering competitiveness and inclusive growth.
The decision clears the way for an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg on Tuesday, Oct. 13, where the two clusters are expected to be formally opened for Ukraine and Moldova.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos welcomed the Ukrainian parliament’s vote and praised Kyiv for continuing reforms despite Russia’s attacks.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also welcomed the progress following discussions with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán in Luxembourg.
Hungary’s previous objections had prevented Kyiv from moving forward with the two negotiating clusters, despite preparations by EU institutions.
Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.