Hungary faces renewed pressure to drop its opposition to Kyiv’s accession bid.

Brussels officials are pushing to begin formal negotiations over Ukraine joining the European Union as early as next month, according to people familiar with the matter.

Behind the scenes, diplomats from the EU and from Kyiv are working intensively to try to persuade the Hungarian government to give its approval to opening talks on Ukraine’s accession.

Five diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aim is to kickstart the formal negotiations as soon as June 25.