Bangladesh, June 27 -- In a dramatic turn of events that has dealt a serious blow to Ukraines hopes of joining the European Union, Hungary has vetoed a joint EU statement backing the start of accession negotiations with Kyiv. The decision was announced on June 26 at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, and it represents a fresh confrontation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the rest of the bloc.

According to a communique published on the European Councils website, the statement supporting Ukraines membership bid was backed by 26 out of 27 EU member states. However, the EUs decision-making process on enlargement requires unanimity, giving each member state veto power. Hungarys opposition means talks canno...