This week, European leaders agreed to begin EU membership talks with Ukraine, nearly two years after it was accepted as a candidate state. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia welcome Ian Bond, deputy director of the Centre for European Reform, to discuss possible outcomes of accession talks. How might Hungary, who was the only EU member to block a recent aid package for Ukraine worth $55 billion, complicate matters? What role does the UK play in the future of European defense? Could the return of a Trump administration upend European security? Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front‘s bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here.