Zelensky rejects Merz's idea of associate EU membership for Ukraine without voting rights

Disagreement on the path to the EU

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz failed to find common ground on accelerating Ukraine's accession process to the European Union. This was reported by Politico, focusing on the German leader's visit to the Ukrainian capital.

Alternative integration format

According to journalists, Friedrich Merz expressed scepticism about the possibility of granting Ukraine full EU member status in the coming years. Instead, he proposed considering the option of so-called "associate membership".

This format would provide Kyiv with access to the EU single market, as well as observer status in institutions such as the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. However, under this model, Ukraine would not have voting rights in decision-making.

Ukrainian leader's position

Volodymyr Zelensky categorically rejected this proposal. In his words, Ukraine needs "full and equal" membership in the European Union.

Politico emphasises that the issue of Ukraine's EU accession remains one of the points of disagreement in the dialogue between Zelensky and Merz.