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.

Friday's agreement allows Ukraine and Moldova to formally open the first cluster of accession negotiations, known as "Fundamentals". #EuropeNews

"We will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on June 12. "It covers the core values…

The European Union has agreed to open the first cluster of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday, marking a major step in the bloc's enlargement.