German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed accelerating Ukraine’s rapprochement with the European Union through phased integration into EU institutions, without waiting for full membership, a proposal that received a cautiously positive response from European leaders.
According to the European bureau of Report, at a national briefing following the EU leaders’ summit in Nicosia, Merz stated explicitly that “Ukraine’s immediate accession to the European Union is, of course, impossible”, but advocated launching a new strategy for rapprochement.
“I proposed starting a process of Ukraine’s gradual rapprochement with the EU, with intermediate steps that will ultimately lead to full membership,” he noted.
Among specific measures, he mentioned the possibility of Ukraine participating in the work of European institutions without voting rights and its gradual inclusion in certain EU areas, depending on the progress of reforms.
“It is important to accelerate accession negotiations – as a bridge to future full membership,” the German Chancellor stated.
According to Merz, his initiative has received broad support among his colleagues, although key differences remain, primarily regarding the extent of Ukraine’s access to the single market.
