German chancellor pitches making Ukraine EU 'associate member'

Ukraine could be granted an EU associate membership that allows participation without voting during the summit. Ukraine’s leader could attend EU summits but would not cast votes. A Ukrainian representative could sit with the European Commission and in non-voting roles in the European Parliament. The EU’s mutual assistance clause would apply to Ukraine, and Ukraine could access parts of the EU budget. The proposal is framed as a political solution to bring Ukraine closer to core EU institutions immediately because full accession would take time due to ratification hurdles and political complexities. The plan aims to maintain momentum while Ukraine continues efforts to join fully, with negotiation clusters starting immediately. Ukraine seeks to avoid being stuck in an interim status.

"“It is obvious that we will not be able to complete the accession process shortly, given the countless hurdles as well as the political complexities of ratification processes,” Merz wrote. “What I envisage is a political solution that brings Ukraine substantially closer to the European Union and its core institutions immediately.”"

"“What I envisage is a political solution that brings Ukraine substantially closer to the European Union and its core institutions immediately.” Kyiv would have a representative at the top table of the EU's executive, the European Commission, and non-voting members of the European parliament."

"Under the proposal, outlined by Merz in a letter to EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, the bloc's mutual assistance clause would apply to Ukraine, and it could benefit from parts of the EU's budget. The plan -- first floated by Merz with EU counterparts last month -- would see Ukraine's leader attend the bloc's summit but not be able to cast a vote."

"The German leader insisted he still wants Ukraine to eventually become a “full member” and urged launching “all negotiation clusters” immediately. “It would not be a membership light,” he wrote. Ukraine sees membership of the EU as vital to its future recovery and security, as the United States has essentially closed the door on it joining NATO"

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