Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected a proposal that would grant Ukraine a form of associate membership in the European Union without voting rights, arguing that such an arrangement would be unfair and would leave the country without a meaningful say in the bloc’s decision-making.
Zelensky says Ukraine deserves a seat in the European Union
According to a letter sent to EU leaders and seen by Reuters, Zelensky was responding to a proposal put forward by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The German leader suggested that Ukraine could be allowed to participate in EU institutions and meetings as an interim step before achieving full membership.
Under the idea, Kyiv would gain representation in certain EU bodies and be present at high-level discussions, but it would not enjoy the same voting rights as full member states. “Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights in Europe,” Zelensky wrote, adding that it would be unjust for his country to be present within the EU framework while remaining “without a voice”.
Orbán’s departure cited as an opportunity
In his letter, Zelensky also pointed to a changing political landscape within the European Union. He argued that the recent electoral defeat of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had created an opportunity to accelerate Ukraine’s accession process. The Ukrainian president said the moment had arrived to advance Ukraine’s EU membership bid “fully and substantially”, suggesting that previous political resistance within the bloc had slowed progress, reports Telex.
The letter was addressed to European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
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A controversial middle-ground solution
Supporters of Merz’s proposal have argued that a clearer pathway towards European integration could help stabilise Ukraine and strengthen prospects for ending the war triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Some analysts believe that closer EU integration could become an important pillar of any future peace settlement.
However, many experts also note that Ukraine is unlikely to meet all EU accession criteria within the next few years. Merz’s suggestion was therefore viewed as a compromise between rapid membership and Ukraine’s current status as an EU candidate country.
The proposal faces another major obstacle: associate EU membership, as described by Merz, does not currently exist under EU law. Implementing such a system would require institutional and legal changes across the bloc. Despite Kyiv’s rejection, some European diplomats believe the idea could still warrant discussion if it helps accelerate, rather than delay, Ukraine’s eventual full membership.
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