EU assesses Merz’s idea of special status for Ukraine, but points to key nuance
Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
The European Commission welcomes the fact that discussions on Ukraine’s EU membership are taking place among member states.
The spokesperson said that this demonstrated the strong determination of member states to make enlargement a reality as soon as possible and urged that the discussion be elevated to the level of the European Council.
According to him, it is becoming increasingly clear that enlargement is a geostrategic investment in our prosperity, peace, and security. Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is also fundamentally linked to the bloc’s security.
The spokesperson noted that it is equally important to ensure the completion of EU enlargement with all candidate countries that have been working for many years to join the Union, adding that any innovative solutions must also be based on a merit-based process involving candidate countries implementing reforms.
Therefore, the spokesperson said, looking ahead, the European Commission must ensure that the enlargement approach is fit for purpose.
He concluded that the European Commission would continue to actively engage with member states and candidate countries to find the best solutions that would make the Union stronger and safer.
As reported earlier today, Reuters revealed details of a letter sent by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the European Commission proposing the idea of "associate membership" for Ukraine. The proposal would allow Ukrainian officials to participate in EU summits and ministerial meetings without voting rights.
This is not the first time such ideas have come from Germany. France has also promoted a similar proposal. However, Ukraine rejects any form of "partial" EU membership, a position repeatedly voiced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
