German chancellor outlines Ukraine's EU integration without fast-track membership

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has advocated for closer involvement of Ukraine in the European Union's processes, while stressing that rapid accession is not feasible.

Source: DW, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to Merz, "it is clear to everyone that Ukraine's immediate accession to the EU is, of course, impossible." Meanwhile, he emphasised his intention to "ensure closer integration (of Ukraine) into European institutions".

As an example, Merz mentioned the possible participation of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in European Council meetings, albeit without voting rights, or the gradual inclusion of Ukraine in specific policy areas depending on the progress of reforms.

Overall, Merz highlighted the need to launch within the EU a "process with a strategy of gradual rapprochement between Ukraine and the EU, at the end of which, of course, full membership must stand".

"But we need intermediate steps. I have spoken about this repeatedly in recent days with President Zelenskyy… It is important that this rapprochement now also accelerates accession talks and becomes a bridge to future full membership," Merz stressed.

Background:

• Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv is not interested in partial EU membership, just as Europe would not want a limited version of the Ukrainian military.
• He later again rejected the idea of "symbolic" EU membership, emphasising that Ukraine's fight to defend Europe is not symbolic and that the country deserves full membership in the bloc.
• Meanwhile, Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, said that Ukraine is ready to postpone receiving some EU benefits in order to speed up the accession process.

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