European Union in June 2026: the most important developments in politics
In June 2026, the European Union's politics were led by migration. On 1 June the bloc cleared the way for deportation centers in third countries, and on 12 June its new migration and asylum pact took effect. On 17 June the European Parliament approved a regulation allowing return hubs outside the EU, and Denmark and 18 other countries pushed for such centers. On 23 June the EU held its first closed-door talks with a Taliban delegation in Brussels on migrant returns, with Belgium issuing one-day visas. Commissioner Brunner defended the talks the next day.
Enlargement was the second theme. On 4 June Hungary lifted its 17-month veto on Ukraine's bid, and on 15 June the EU formally opened accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, starting the first cluster of talks while air raid alerts sounded in Kyiv. At the 18-19 June summit, Péter Magyar forced the EU to drop a fast-track clause for Ukraine, and on 24 June Hungary delayed a key step in the process. Nearly 60% of Poles opposed Ukraine's accession in a poll, and on 30 June Poland threatened to block Ukraine's entry over the Bandera issue. The Western Balkans summit in Tivat on 5 June discussed gradual accession, and on 30 June the EU presented a financial package for Montenegro.
The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas faced pressure. After remarks reported as comparing Israel's policies to apartheid, Chancellor Merz condemned her comments and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cut contact with her. China accused her of slander over her claims about Chinese military activities. Member states were reported to be seeking to reduce her role, and no consensus emerged on sanctions against Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
EU leaders also debated a proposed seven-year budget of 2 trillion euros, with Merz and Austria calling for cuts. On 29 June Ireland took over the EU presidency from Cyprus.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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