After two years of delays caused by a blockade from Hungary, Ukraine and Moldova are set to begin EU membership negotiations this Monday. This significant diplomatic breakthrough ends a period of prolonged stalemate regarding the two nations' integration into the European Union. The announcement is expected to be formally welcomed during a summit later this week. While the accession talks are a primary highlight, the upcoming summit will also focus heavily on the EU's future budget. This move signals a strategic shift in the bloc's enlargement process. It marks a critical step forward for both Ukraine and Moldova in their pursuit of European integration.