UKRAINE PERSPECTIVE

Kyiv, May 21, 2026. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal to grant Ukraine an "associate member" status in the European Union has sparked a nuanced reaction in Kyiv, oscillating between diplomatic recognition and strategic vigilance. In a letter dated May 18 addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Merz advocates for a mechanism that would bring Ukraine closer to European institutions "immediately", without waiting for the outcome of an accession process that he considers inaccessible in the short term. "It is clear that we will not be able to conclude the accession process quickly, given the numerous obstacles and political complexities of the ratification procedures," he writes.

In concrete terms, Merz's plan provides for Ukraine's participation in European Council summits and EU Council meetings with speaking rights but no voting rights, a representative at the European Commission without a portfolio, associate members in the European Parliament without voting rights, progressive integration into the EU budget, and the application of Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty on mutual defense - a security guarantee considered crucial by Kyiv, given the uncertain prospects of NATO membership.

The European Commission has confirmed receiving the letter and encouraged "this discussion to advance at the European Council level," highlighting that "Ukraine's accession to the European Union is fundamentally linked to the security of our Union." The next EU leaders' summit, scheduled for June 18-19 in Brussels, could be the first formal arena for the debate.

However, obstacles remain. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has outright rejected the idea: "Either we accept someone, or we don't. Today, there is no atmosphere within the European Union to take such measures." He recalled that Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia have been waiting much longer. Countries in the informal group "Friends of the Western Balkans," including Austria, oppose any differentiated treatment in favor of Ukraine.

In Ukraine itself, diplomat Lana Zerkal, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador, published an analysis on Facebook calling not to reject the proposal outright. "This is precisely the case where it is necessary to step out of the usual thinking scheme and examine the details," she writes.