The EU has agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova – Cluster 1 – Fundamentals, calling the move a historic step and a reward for the two countries’ resilience and reforms amid Russia’s war. The European Council’s agreement to open the accession negotiations marks a major step in both countries’ long path toward EU membership. The decision paves the way for an Intergovernmental Conference on June 15, where the first negotiation stage – the “fundamentals”