European Union leaders decide to commence membership negotiations with Ukraine.

• Despite Hungary's pledge to block the decision during the current two-day EU summit, the agreement is reached.
• The details of the agreement were not immediately clear, and it was unclear whether talks would begin now or in March.

The European Union has agreed to commence negotiations with Ukraine, bringing the country one step closer to membership.

On Thursday, Charles Michel, the European Council president and EU summit chair, announced that leaders had decided to initiate accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.

The European Council has decided to initiate accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, as stated by him through X, previously Twitter.

The EU granted candidate status to Georgia and will open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached, with a report from the commission expected by March.

A beacon of optimism for their population and our region.

Although Hungary had pledged to block the decision during the current EU summit, the agreement was reached. Several other member states, including Italy, have raised concerns about expanding the EU.

The details of the agreement were not immediately clear, and it was unclear whether talks would begin now or in March.

European leaders are preparing for a challenging summit where supporting Ukraine is a top priority. This meeting takes place at a critical juncture for Ukraine, with President Zelenskyy traveling globally to seek additional assistance in combating Russia's invasion.

Zelenskyy replied to Michel, saying it was a victory for his country and Europe. He added that it was a victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens.

Meanwhile, Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, called the decision a bad one and stated via Facebook that his country did not participate in the decision-making process. According to one EU official, Orban left the room during the vote among EU leaders that started on Thursday evening.

— CNBC’s Silvia Amaro contributed to this article.