The EU's membership criteria are typically merit-based, but Ukraine's President Zelenskyy is pushing for a fixed deadline for EU accession amid peace talks with Russia. EU leaders acknowledge the difficulty of this under current rules, prompting discussions on overhauling the enlargement process. The EU may consider granting Ukraine immediate member or affiliate status while requiring reforms. Hungary's opposition complicates the process, as Prime Minister Orbán insists on not supporting Ukraine's accession. The EU is also exploring reforms to ensure new members adhere to democratic standards post-accession. Teljes cikk (Euronews.com)