Photo: EPA
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed back against a proposal by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggesting a special “associate membership” status for Ukraine in the European Union, arguing that it would leave Kyiv without voting rights inside the bloc.
According to a letter sent by Zelenskyy to EU leaders, the Ukrainian president warned that such a model would be unfair if it grants Ukraine access to EU structures without full political representation. He stressed that Ukraine’s goal remains full and equal membership.
The letter, sent late on May 22 to top EU officials including European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized that Ukraine should not be integrated into the EU as a “silent participant” without decision-making power.
Zelenskyy also argued that Ukraine is already contributing to European security by resisting Russian aggression and defending the broader continent, and therefore deserves equal status within the Union.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed discussions about alternative integration models but reiterated that they cannot replace full membership. At the same time, some Ukrainian experts said the proposal could still bring practical benefits, even if it falls short of full accession.
The idea has received mixed reactions in Brussels, where officials have raised concerns about its legal feasibility, political implications, and compatibility with EU enlargement rules.
