The European Commission has acknowledged receiving a letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding a potential new status for Ukraine prior to full European Union (EU) membership. This proposal is now set to be discussed at the European Council level.
A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed the receipt of the letter, stating, “We welcome that this discussion is taking place among member states. We encourage continuing this discussion at the European Council level.” The spokesperson emphasized that this reflects the determination of member states to expedite the enlargement process.
The spokesperson further noted, “It is becoming increasingly clear that enlargement is a geostrategic investment in our prosperity, peace, and security. Ukraine’s accession to the EU is fundamentally linked to the security of our Union.”
Highlighting the importance of completing the enlargement process, the spokesperson remarked that all candidate countries that have been working towards membership for many years should be included. They added, “Any innovative solutions must also be based on the principle of merit. Looking ahead, we must ensure that our approach to enlargement aligns with the objectives set forth.”
Media reports indicate that Merz proposed a form of “associated membership” for Ukraine as a temporary status that would partially address Kyiv’s request for expedited membership. This vision was detailed in his letter to other European leaders.
It is worth noting that this is not the first instance of discussing a “partial membership” for Ukraine. Such proposals aim to find a compromise between Kyiv’s aspirations for swift membership and the EU’s desire to adhere to full procedural norms without making exceptions that could lead to future complications. Discussions about a potential “advance membership” for Ukraine were informally mentioned as early as February 2026.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine is not interested in incomplete EU membership.
The European Commission has confirmed receipt of a proposal from Germany regarding a new status for Ukraine in its EU membership journey. This discussion reflects ongoing debates about how to balance Ukraine's aspirations with EU procedural norms.