EU countries approve starting membership talks with Ukraine, Moldova

(Ben Makuch – Politico) The European Union’s 27 member countries voted late Friday in favor of opening the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. Following the decision, the initial cluster will be opened on Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X. The first cluster is on fundamentals, covering the bloc’s core values and principles, from the rule of law to democratic institutions. Both Ukraine and Moldova have faced Russian military aggression since the collapse of the Soviet Union and see EU membership as a decisive pivot away from Moscow. –  EU countries approve starting membership talks with Ukraine, Moldova – POLITICO