Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has pushed back against a German suggestion to give Kyiv an "associate" role inside the European Union that would let it participate in meetings but not vote. In correspondence sent to top EU leaders, the president said such an arrangement would leave Ukraine present inside the bloc yet without a voice in decision-making.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had proposed the interim measure of permitting Ukraine to attend EU meetings without voting rights, arguing that this step could help move forward efforts to end the war that followed Russia's invasion. Zelenskiy, however, dismissed that option as inadequate.
In his letter to Antonio Costa, Ursula von der Leyen and Nikos Christodoulides - who holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union - Zelenskiy wrote that "It would be unfair for Ukraine to be present in the European Union, but remain voiceless." He added that "The time is right to move forward with Ukraine's membership in a full and meaningful way."
The president also pointed to recent political developments in Hungary, saying the departure of Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who had opposed Kyiv's membership bid - opened the door for renewed progress on accession discussions.
Ukraine submitted its application for European Union membership soon after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and was awarded candidate status later that same year. The accession process requires unanimous approval from all member states at several stages, a procedure that has frequently been slowed by political disagreements within the bloc.
Within the EU there is a diversity of views on how to integrate Ukraine. Several capitals have backed a phased approach, proposing gradual access to certain EU institutions ahead of full membership. Critics of any arrangement that stops short of full voting rights warn that such ad hoc solutions could create lasting structural divisions within the union.
Zelenskiy stressed Ukraine's role amid the ongoing conflict, saying the country remains a security buffer for Europe and urging faster progress on accession. "We are defending Europe fully, not partially, and not with half-measures," he wrote, adding that "Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe."
Context and implications
- Ukraine seeks full EU membership and has candidate status following its 2022 application after Russia's invasion.
- The proposed associate model would allow attendance without voting, but Zelenskiy says this would leave Kyiv voiceless and is therefore unacceptable.
- Accession remains subject to unanimous approval from all EU member states and continues to be affected by internal political disagreements, though recent changes in Hungary may alter the dynamics.
Direct statements quoted in the letter
"It would be unfair for Ukraine to be present in the European Union, but remain voiceless."
"The time is right to move forward with Ukraine's membership in a full and meaningful way."
"We are defending Europe fully, not partially, and not with half-measures. Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe."