Sweden’s Minister for European Affairs, Jessika Rosencrantz, emphasized that Germany’s suggestion for Ukraine to pursue associate membership in the European Union cannot replace full EU membership. Her remarks came ahead of a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels.
Rosencrantz acknowledged that while all proposals aimed at advancing Ukraine’s EU membership are beneficial, they should not be seen as substitutes for official membership. She stated, “We need to analyze the details of the German proposal further.”
The minister highlighted Ukraine’s significant progress towards European integration, noting, “It is important for us to move forward in the formal negotiation process with Ukraine. They have undertaken impressive reforms and are ready to open the first cluster of negotiations. However, we want to ensure that all clusters are addressed. We are working towards this goal and hope to achieve it by June.”
On May 21, reports indicated that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had reached out to European leaders, reiterating his proposal for Ukraine to gain associate membership in the EU.
This associate status could include several provisions, such as:
- Participation in European Council and EU Council meetings without voting rights;
- Involvement of associate members in the Commission without portfolio, fully participating except for voting;
- Inclusion of associate members in the European Parliament without voting rights;
- An associate judge in the European Court of Justice;
- Gradual implementation of the EU acquis based on Ukraine’s progress in accession negotiations, requiring Council approval;
- Partial application of the EU budget and Multiannual Financial Framework, with direct management programs phased in according to negotiation progress;
- Full alignment of Ukraine with the Common Foreign and Security Policy and a political commitment from member states to apply Article 42, paragraph 7 of the EU Treaty for Ukraine’s security guarantees;
- A mechanism for reverting to previous conditions or provisions for termination in case of a regression from fundamental EU values, such as the rule of law.
A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed receipt of Chancellor Merz’s letter.
On May 22, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Taras Kachka, stated that if associate membership could expedite full EU membership, Ukraine would be open to the idea. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his disapproval in a letter to EU leaders, deeming the proposal for associate membership as “unacceptable.”
Sweden's European Affairs Minister stated that Germany's proposal for Ukraine's associate membership in the EU is not a substitute for full membership. While acknowledging Ukraine's reforms, she emphasized the need for formal negotiations to progress towards EU integration.