Exclusive-Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says proposal of associate EU membership ‘unfair’
By Daniel Flynn
KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a letter to EU leaders that Germany’s offer to grant Ukraine “associate” membership in the European Union was “unfair” because it would leave Kiev without a say in the bloc.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested earlier this week that Ukraine be allowed to attend EU meetings and institutions without a vote as an interim step towards full membership of the bloc, saying it could help facilitate a deal to end a four-year war triggered by Russia’s invasion.
In response, Zelenskiy said in a letter sent late on Friday and reviewed by Reuters that Ukraine was pressing ahead with reforms needed for full EU membership while also serving as a bulwark against Russian aggression for the entire 27-nation bloc.
“We are defending Europe not partially, but completely and with half-measures,” the 48-year-old leader said, accusing Russia of trying to destroy European unity and destabilize parts of the continent. “It would be unfair for Ukraine to remain silent despite being in the European Union.”
The letter was sent to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council.
Zelenskiy thanked European leaders for their support during the war, Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. EU countries last month approved a two-year 90 billion euro ($104.42 billion) loan to help finance Ukraine’s war effort after months of delays.
Following the dismissal of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who was a fierce opponent of Ukraine’s EU membership and lost elections in April, Zelenskiy said there was now an opportunity to make significant progress in accession negotiations.
“It is time to fully and meaningfully advance Ukraine’s membership,” Zelenskiy said in his message. “Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe.”
EU OFFICIALS SAY MEMBERSHIP WILL TAKE TIME
Analysts say a clear route to the EU could help Zelenskiy sell any peace deal to the Ukrainians; especially if – as is generally expected – the agreement does not give Ukraine control of all its territory or membership in the NATO military alliance.
However, many European officials say that it is unrealistic for Ukraine to become a full member of the bloc in the next few years, despite the date of 2027 being drawn in the 20-point peace plan discussed between the USA, Ukraine and Russia. Joining the EU requires approval from each of the bloc’s 27 members, a process that could pose significant hurdles.
Merz’s proposal was billed as an attempt to find a middle ground between rapid accession and Ukraine’s current candidate country status at the beginning of the process. Ukraine hopes to start negotiations within two months on six areas known as ‘clusters’ for joining the European Union.
A German government spokesman said Berlin agreed with Zelenskiy that these negotiations should start as soon as possible and sees itself as a country preparing the way for Kiev’s EU membership.
“Germany is and will remain Ukraine’s most important supporter,” the spokesman said, adding that Merz’s offer was intended to start a frank discussion. “The focus is on pragmatic intermediate steps towards full membership. Full membership remains the goal.”
In his letter, Zelenskiy said that despite war pressure, Ukraine was making good progress on the reforms needed to meet the EU’s democratic and economic standards.
“We fully understand that European integration will not happen overnight,” he said. “But previous rounds of enlargement have already shown very clearly that countries can be given time to integrate without restricting their rights within the EU.” Merz had said in a letter to EU officials on Thursday, reported by Reuters, that he would discuss the idea of ”commonalising” Ukraine’s membership with other European leaders and suggested creating a task force to finalize the details.
The proposal included a “political commitment” to apply the bloc’s mutual aid and defense clause to Ukraine, as well as allowing Ukraine to become a non-voting joint commissioner of the European Commission and non-voting representatives in the European Parliament, and allowing it gradual access to the EU budget.
Some diplomats in Brussels reacted cautiously to Merz’s proposal, stating that “associate” member status did not exist and could require changes to EU treaties. Others questioned whether such an approach was necessary after Hungary’s veto over the process was lifted, and suggested it would be better to focus on advancing negotiations towards full membership. But some diplomats said Germany’s offer could only be seen as an effort to accelerate Ukraine’s progress.
“If Germany’s offer helps accelerate integration without hindering or delaying full membership, then it is worth a closer look,” said an EU diplomat who asked to remain anonymous.
($1 = 0.8619 euros)
(Reporting by Daniel Flynn; Additional reporting by Markus Wacket, Berlin, Editing by Susan Fenton and Tomasz Janowski)
