Merz has proposed granting Ukraine the status of an “associated member” of the EU: what does this mean?

The European Union is discussing a new format for Ukraine’s integration amid the protracted EU accession process. Find out what the status of an “associated member” of the EU entails and what rights Ukraine could gain

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed a new format for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union — the status of an “associated member” of the EU. The idea is to grant Kyiv broader access to European institutions even before full accession to the bloc, though without voting rights. DW reports this, citing a letter from Merz to EU leaders, which was reviewed by Reuters and AFP.

Read also: Two-thirds of Ukrainians believe Ukraine will prosper in the EU in 10 years — results of a KII poll.

Merz proposes an interim format for Ukraine’s integration into the EU

In his letter, the German chancellor noted that Ukraine’s full accession to the European Union remains unlikely in the near future due to the complexity of the negotiation process, the need for reforms, and lengthy ratification procedures in EU member states.

Against this backdrop, Merz proposes creating an interim political format — “associated membership” — which would allow Ukraine to be significantly closer to European institutions even before official accession.

“It is clear that we will not be able to complete the accession process in the near future, given the countless obstacles as well as the political complexities of the ratification processes. I see a political solution that would bring Ukraine significantly closer to the European Union and its key institutions immediately,” the chancellor’s letter states.

What rights could Ukraine obtain as an “associated member” of the EU?

According to Merz’s proposal, Ukraine would be able to have its own representatives in key EU bodies — specifically in the European Commission and the European Parliament. At the same time, Ukrainian representatives would not have the right to vote during decision-making.

In addition, the German chancellor proposes that EU countries make political commitments to provide mutual assistance to Ukraine. Kyiv could also gain access to funding from the European Union budget.

According to Merz, this approach takes into account Ukraine’s unique situation as a country at war and could also serve as an additional element of support during peace negotiations.

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Why is Germany promoting a new model of cooperation?

Friedrich Merz emphasized that his proposal is not intended to replace Ukraine’s full EU membership. It specifically concerns a temporary or interim integration mechanism that would allow for the gradual inclusion of Ukraine in European policies and institutions.

At the same time, the chancellor proposed establishing a mechanism to terminate “associated member” status should Ukraine deviate from the principles of the rule of law or slow down the process of European integration.

Merz also emphasized that this model should not affect other candidate countries that have been in the process of joining the EU for a long time. According to him, the European Union should seek “innovative solutions” for countries undergoing a complex integration process.

The German Chancellor stated that he plans to bring his initiative up for discussion with other European leaders in the near future. His goal is to reach a political agreement and establish a special working group to develop the details of the new cooperation format.

Back in April, following the EU summit, Merz advocated for Ukraine’s more active involvement in the work of European institutions. Among the possible options mentioned at the time were the participation of the Ukrainian president in EU Council meetings without voting rights or the country’s gradual alignment with certain EU policies depending on the pace of reforms.

Zelenskyy previously opposed “symbolic” membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously emphasized that Kyiv expects clear guarantees and specific accession timelines from the European Union, not just symbolic political gestures of support.

During meetings with European leaders, he stated that Ukraine “does not need symbolic membership,” and that full-fledged accession to the EU remains the top priority.

However, against the backdrop of the EU’s protracted enlargement procedures and the war in Ukraine, Mertz’s proposal could become one of the options for temporarily deepening integration between Kyiv and the EU.

We remind you! The war in Ukraine remains one of the most discussed topics, and predictions regarding its end vary significantly. Experts share their views on the possibility of the war ending in 2026. Read more about the outlook, key forecasts, and what lies ahead for Ukraine next year.

Photo: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images

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