- The plan, outlined in a letter to top EU leaders, would allow Ukraine to participate in key EU meetings without voting rights, grant limited access to EU funding and security provisions, and introduce a reversible “snap-back” mechanism tied to governance standards, as Brussels weighs faster but partial integration amid concerns over a prolonged membership process.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed an “associate membership” framework for European Union that would bring Ukraine closer to the bloc ahead of full accession, amid ongoing debate over the country’s long-term integration while it continues to face Russia’s military invasion.
In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, Merz outlined a plan allowing Ukraine to participate in EU summits and ministerial meetings without voting rights, arguing that full membership remains a lengthy and complex process.
He noted that Ukraine’s accession cannot be completed in the near term due to “numerous institutional and political hurdles,” suggesting instead a transitional political arrangement that would immediately integrate Ukraine more closely into EU structures, dw.com reports.
Under the proposal, Ukraine could benefit from parts of the EU budget and be included under the bloc’s mutual assistance clause, while still progressing toward eventual full membership. Merz stressed that the initiative is not a diluted form of membership but a practical response to Ukraine’s wartime circumstances.
The German Chancellor also suggested introducing a “snap-back” mechanism, allowing the arrangement to be reversed if Ukraine fails to uphold rule-of-law standards required for full EU accession.
He added that the approach would strengthen both Ukrainian and broader European security, and confirmed plans to consult EU leaders and establish a task force to develop the framework.
However, the proposal is expected to face skepticism within parts of the EU and in Kyiv, where officials fear that interim solutions could leave Ukraine in prolonged uncertainty without a clear membership timeline.
Ukraine’s EU ambitions have gained momentum since the start of Russia’s invasion, although full accession remains a long-term process requiring unanimous approval from all 27 member states.
Previous political resistance, notably from Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, had slowed progress, though recent leadership changes in Budapest have raised cautious optimism.
