Merz proposes special status for Ukraine in the EU: without voting rights, but with access to institutions

Germany seeks new format for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has taken the initiative to grant Ukraine a special status of “associate member” of the European Union. This format provides for the immediate involvement of Ukraine in the work of European institutions, but without full membership and voting rights at the first stage.

This is reported by the German publication Die Zeit.

Why full accession is being postponed

According to the publication, Merz sent an official letter to the EU leadership, in which he explained that Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union is currently unlikely due to complex bureaucratic procedures and the need for approval by all member states.

The Chancellor emphasized that the current EU enlargement system does not allow for the prompt integration of Ukraine, even despite the political support of most European countries.

What will “associate member” status give Ukraine

The proposed format may become an intermediate stage between candidate status and full membership in the EU.

This concerns:
— participation in the work of European institutions;
— deepening cooperation in the security sphere;
— integration into the economic and legal mechanisms of the EU;
— accelerated adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to European standards.

At the same time, Ukraine will not yet have the right to vote in the adoption of European Union decisions.

The EU has not yet commented on the initiative

There is currently no official reaction from the leadership of the European Union to Friedrich Merz’s proposal.

However, experts are already calling this initiative an attempt to find a compromise mechanism for faster integration of Ukraine into the European space in conditions of war.