After years of reforms, red tape, and former Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán blocking them, Ukraine and Moldova marked a historic milestone on Monday as formal EU accession negotiations finally got underway.

The European Union will open the first part of the process for Ukraine and Moldova to join the bloc, following Hungary's lifting of its veto on the accession of Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that European Union member states have agreed to advance accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, boosting the countries' membership bids after two years of stalled progress.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that European Union member states have agreed to advance accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, boosting the countries' membership bids after two years of stalled progress.