EU weighs fast-track perks for Ukraine after membership push stalls
Photo: The EU is considering granting Ukraine certain privileges instead of fast-track accession to the bloc (Getty Images)
EU countries are preparing a package of short-term privileges for Ukraine to bring it closer to the European Union after plans to accelerate its accession to the bloc were rejected, reports Politico.
According to four European diplomats familiar with the discussions, the new proposal involves broader access for Ukraine to the market and more active participation in EU programs and institutions.
The proposal emerged after a tense dinner in March, during which EU countries rejected the European Commission’s idea of “reverse enlargement,” which would have allowed Ukraine to join the European Union before completing key reforms.
“From the moment of the dinner … member states have been clear it would be very difficult to see membership in the short term. But we need to have a positive offer for how we can better move forward together before then,” one of the diplomats said.
The EU is looking for ways to bring Ukraine into parts of the bloc’s markets, funding schemes, and political institutions even before accession. A diplomat described this model as “accelerated gradual integration.”
Germany and France, which are strong supporters of Ukraine but fear a rushed accession process, are among the countries involved in shaping the proposal.
Lithuania has proposed granting Ukraine the status of an “acceding state” to demonstrate that it is steadily moving toward EU membership. This status has historically been applied to countries that have signed an accession treaty and are awaiting its ratification.
The proposal states that Ukraine’s case “shows its European path has reached a level of stability and direction that merits similar recognition.”
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, said the country’s priority remains full EU membership.
“But we also expect early, tangible steps that bring integration into effect now,” he stressed.
According to him, Ukraine seeks “phased access to the EU Single Market linked to progress on reforms, deeper participation in EU programs and institutions, and swift progress on agreements like ACAA to facilitate trade.”
Ukraine is also asking to include its enterprises in the European Commission’s strategic industrial dialogues in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, metallurgy, and the chemical industry “to better align our industries with EU value chains.”
Such steps, Chentsov said, will bring immediate economic benefits and strengthen investor confidence, while making Ukraine’s path to the EU beneficial for both sides even before accession.
Ukraine’s EU accession
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the authorities would do everything to ensure the country is ready to join the European Union by 2027.
Kyiv has called on Brussels to set January 1, 2027, as the date of Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that Ukraine’s accession to the EU in 2027 is impossible. According to her, the membership process depends on two specific things: achieving peace and carrying out reforms.
The governments of some European countries do not support active discussions and acceleration of the accession of new members, including Ukraine. Among such states are France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.
Recently, Germany and France proposed a "light membership" for Ukraine. It includes granting certain “symbolic benefits” and a mutual defense clause, but does not give Kyiv voting rights.
