Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written a letter to European Union leaders, calling the proposal for Ukraine's associate membership in the EU “unacceptable.” Earlier, such a proposal was put forward to the leaders of EU member states by German Chancellor Merz.
The Public was informed about this in the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Zelensky called the proposal for Ukraine's associated membership in the EU “unfair.”
“It would be unfair if Ukraine were present in the European Union but remained voiceless. It is time to move forward with Ukraine's membership in a full and meaningful way,” the president wrote.
Zelensky addressed the letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Council of the European Union António Costa, and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulis. Cyprus holds the EU presidency until June 30, 2026.
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In his address on May 23, the president noted that Ukrainian representatives are conducting diplomatic work with our partners in the European Union to bring Ukraine's membership in the EU closer.
“Without Ukraine, there can be no full-fledged European project, and Ukraine's presence in the EU must also be full-fledged – full-fledged. It is important to open clusters. It is important to move meaningfully in negotiations. It is important to work 100% for the sake of security and for the sake of our people,” the president emphasized.
What is known about Germany's proposal for Ukraine's associated membership in the EU?
On May 21, Suspilne reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a letter to European leaders, was once again offering Ukraine associate membership in the European Union.
The status of an associated Member State could include, among other things:
- participation in meetings of the European Council and the Council of the European Union (without the right to vote);
- associate member of the Commission (without portfolio, with full participation, except for voting);
- associated members of the European Parliament (without voting rights);
- associate judge of the European Court of Justice (formally “assistant rapporteur”), etc.;
- phased application of the acquis communautaire, in line with Ukraine's progress in accession negotiations — not automatically, but after approval by the Council and with appropriate safeguards;
- The EU budget (and the Multiannual Financial Framework) would not apply to Ukraine in full immediately. Instead, directly managed programmes could be applied in stages, in line with progress in accession negotiations and taking into account safeguards;
- full alignment of Ukraine with the Common Foreign and Security Policy and a political commitment by Member States to apply Article 42, paragraph 7 of the Treaty on European Union also to Ukraine in order to create a substantial security guarantee;
- a mechanism for reverting to the previous status quo (or, alternatively, a sunset clause) in the event of a departure from the fundamental values of the European Union, in particular the rule of law, or structural steps backwards in accession negotiations.
A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed to the Public that it had received a letter from Chancellor Merz.
On May 22, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European Integration Taras Kachka stated that if Ukraine's associated membership in the European Union would accelerate full membership, then Ukraine is ready to agree to it.
“Everything that accelerates accession is beneficial for us. If we have the opportunity to participate in EU institutions as an associated member until the full ratification of the accession treaty, we support it. Neither the EU nor Ukraine can afford to waste time. Russia is behaving very aggressively towards the Baltic countries, the EU, and Europe in general,” said Taras Kachka.