European Union officials have told member states that Ukraine and Moldova have met the criteria needed to begin negotiations to join the bloc.
A number of countries are pressing the EU to formally start the process on 25 June, after leaders took the landmark decision to open talks in December.
But opposition from Hungary, the friendliest country to Russia in the bloc, threatens to derail the move, which requires the unanimous support of all 27 nations.
The European Commission had laid out a series of reforms for war-torn Ukraine, and its ex-Soviet neighbour Moldova, to complete ahead of the start of negotiations.
In an update to EU ambassadors, the commission said that Ukraine had fulfilled outstanding requirements, including efforts to curb the power of oligarchs and better ensure the rights of ethnic minorities.
“We consider that all the steps have been met by the two countries,” a spokeswoman said.
“Now the decision is in the hands of the member states.”
That issue of minority rights has been a key sticking point for Hungary, which has long complained about the alleged maltreatment of the Hungarian community in Ukraine.
But even if the Eurpean Commission insists Kyiv has ticked all the boxes, that does not mean Hungary – which has repeatedly blocked support for Ukraine – will agree.
Pressure has grown to move Ukraine onto the next step in its bid for EU membership, in the face of fears that Hungary could stall progress when it takes over the bloc’s rotating presidency next month.
Ukraine and Moldova applied to join the EU shortly after Russia launched its all-out invasion in February 2022.
Starting the negotiations would still only put Ukraine at the start of what is likely to be a years-long process of reforms before it can finally become a member.
