Rome, 21 May (LaPresse) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to offer Ukraine a new special status as an ‘associate member’ of the European Union in response to its request for rapid EU accession. In a letter to European leaders – cited by the German news agency DPA – the Berlin leader proposes integrating Kyiv more closely into the institutions with immediate effect. Initially, however, Ukraine would not obtain full membership or voting rights. Merz justifies the initiative by citing Ukraine’s particular situation as a country at war and the “significant progress” made in accession negotiations. According to the Chancellor – as explained – the proposal also aims to facilitate the peace talks initiated by US President Donald Trump, inter alia through a political commitment by Member States to apply the EU’s mutual assistance clause to Ukraine as well. The special status would send a strong political signal “which Ukraine and its citizens urgently need in their ongoing struggle against Russian aggression”, wrote Merz, while making it clear that Kiev’s accession process cannot be completed “in the short term”.
Ukraine: Merz wants to propose EU associate membership for Kyiv
Rome, 21 May (LaPresse) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to offer Ukraine a new special status as an ‘associate member’ of the European Union in response to its request for rapid EU accession. In a letter to European leaders – cited by the German news agency DPA – the Berlin leader proposes integrating Kyiv more closely into the institutions with immediate effect. Initially, however, Ukraine would not obtain full membership or voting rights. Merz justifies the initiative by citing Ukraine’s particular situation as a country at war and the “significant progress” made in accession negotiations. According to the Chancellor – as explained – the proposal also aims to facilitate the peace talks initiated by US President Donald Trump, inter alia through a political commitment by Member States to apply the EU’s mutual assistance clause to Ukraine as well. The special status would send a strong political signal “which Ukraine and its citizens urgently need in their ongoing struggle against Russian aggression”, wrote Merz, while making it clear that Kiev’s accession process cannot be completed “in the short term”.
