Good morning from Brussels, where a major development has unfolded regarding Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. Hungary has officially lifted its two-year-long veto on Kyiv’s accession talks, following an announcement by Prime Minister Péter Magyar. A comprehensive agreement was reached with Ukraine concerning the expansion of linguistic, educational, cultural, and political rights for the 100,000-strong Hungarian-speaking minority in Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region. This issue had been a central point of contention for the previous Orbán-led government. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Taras Kachka, acknowledged Hungary's "constructive engagement" and expressed optimism for a new chapter in Ukraine-Hungary relations, built on mutual respect and a shared European future. This significant shift in position, which occurred during a meeting of ambassadors in Brussels, will now allow both Ukraine and Moldova to formally open the first cluster of negotiations for EU membership. Both nations have already received confirmation that they have met the necessary criteria for talks, and the Council of the EU is expected to define its common position to guide these negotiations. EU enlargement chief Marta Kos welcomed the news, urging both countries to "accelerate on their road to EU membership" to ensure minority rights are respected.

This breakthrough for Ukraine and Moldova comes as EU leaders prepare for a crucial summit with six Western Balkan leaders in Tivat, Montenegro. European Council chief António Costa is currently on a Western Balkan tour, making a stop in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, before heading to Tivat to chair a dinner ahead of tomorrow’s EU-Western Balkans summit. The Western Balkan region, comprising Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, is geographically surrounded by the EU and at various stages of their respective accession processes. After nearly two decades of relative calm regarding enlargement, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shattered the peace, elevating expansion into a critical security priority for the EU. Beyond security, the economic ties are substantial; the EU is the region's primary trading partner and investor, with total trade exceeding €87 billion last year, featuring a significant surplus in EU exports. However, Brussels faces immense geopolitical pressure, as Moscow, Beijing, and Washington are actively competing for strategic influence. The region has become a new frontline for these tensions, particularly visible in Serbia, which, despite being the largest Western Balkan economy, is considered one of the thorniest EU hopefuls due to persistent rule of law concerns and its foreign policy that only 63% aligns with the EU’s, notably its refusal to sanction Russia. EU enlargement chief Marta Kos has even withheld funds earmarked for Serbia due to concerns over backsliding on the rule of law. The fear among EU capitals of decision-making paralysis under current voting rules if more nations join has led Albania and Serbia to propose a phased integration, including temporarily waiving their veto rights. Brussels' current approach to enlargement is no longer solely an idealistic dream of European unity but rather a "cold calculation to secure borders," recognizing that leaving a power vacuum could lead to the region becoming politically dependent on Russia, economically reliant on Chinese investment, or even becoming a de facto 51st state of the US.

In other international news, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a conditional ceasefire, requiring a "complete cessation" of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah. This agreement was outlined in a joint statement issued after US-led talks in Washington. Speaking live to Euronews’ "Europe Today," Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salamé emphasized the importance of both sides adhering to the agreement, while expressing concerns about what he termed "not very healthy" comments made by some Israeli officials earlier in the morning. He hoped that some of the "far-fetched interpretations" heard from the Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defence were merely "for public consumption."

Meanwhile, Euronews is busy with several internal initiatives and reporting on key European developments. Euronews’ chief anchor Méabh Mc Mahon and EU editor Maria Tadeo host "Europe Today" every weekday at 8 am Brussels time, offering a 20-minute format on TV, website, and digital platforms, also available as a newsletter and podcast. Euronews is also collaborating with Brussels' European Policy Centre (EPC) for a two-day summit on economic security, moderated by Euronews correspondent Shona Murray. The forum brings together global policymakers, industry executives, and experts to discuss geo-economic fragmentation, trade vulnerabilities, and strategic technological dependencies. Notable speakers include Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, and US Ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is scheduled to close the event on Friday.

Controversy is also brewing in the European Parliament, where an event on children’s rights organized by Renew Europe lawmaker Lukas Sieper is sparking debate among MEPs. The roundtable focuses on young LGBTQI+ individuals and the right of sexual autodetermination for children in Europe. Around 60 MEPs, including European Conservatives and Reformists MEP Paolo Inselvini, signed a letter asking President Metsola to assess the appropriateness of hosting the event, with Inselvini stating that "Every child has the right to be protected first and foremost by crazy ideologies."

EU-China relations remain strained amidst escalating trade tensions, with EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič set to meet his Chinese counterpart, trade envoy Li Chenggang, on the sidelines of an OECD ministerial meeting in Paris. Brussels is actively seeking to address Chinese overcapacity and a record-high €359.9 billion trade deficit. The EU's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act and Cybersecurity Act, which could potentially exclude Chinese companies from the EU market, have led to threats of retaliation from China, fueling fears of a trade war. Tensions further escalated last week during a meeting of EU commissioners discussing the bloc’s strategy towards Beijing. Adding to the complex trade landscape, the Trump administration on Tuesday threatened to impose further tariffs on the European Union following an investigation linked to forced labor. The European Commission has vehemently slammed this move as "unjustified." This development comes as the EU prepares to implement a contentious trade deal, known as the Turnberry agreement, struck last summer between US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. German MEP Bernd Lange (S&D), the European Parliament's chief negotiator on this agreement, criticized the US administration's claims, calling them "absurd" and highlighting the EU's adoption of "the world's most stringent rules against products made with forced labour."

In other news from Euronews newsrooms, the European Parliamentary group Renew Europe is advocating for individual sanctions against Xenia Fedorova, the former head of RT France. Additionally, a new Pew survey suggests that a decade after Brexit, the EU has become more popular, even in the UK, potentially bringing the rest of Europe closer together. Meanwhile, European Council President António Costa is visiting Belgrade, Serbia, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is in Podgorica, Montenegro. EU home affairs ministers are gathering in Brussels, with Commissioner Magnus Brunner delivering a press conference in Luxembourg following a Justice and Home Affairs Council. These events underscore a dynamic period in European politics and international relations.