Ukraine pushes for full EU membership as Germany offers associate status

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed granting Ukraine an “associate member” status that would let Kyiv attend EU summit meetings, have a representative in the European Commission and receive part of the EU budget, but would not include voting rights. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the 27‑member bloc to accelerate negotiations, saying “Ukraine deserves full EU membership with all rights.”

Ukraine applied for EU membership days after Russia’s invasion in 2022, received candidate status a few months later and began accession talks in 2024. Progress has been hampered by opposition from former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán; the election of new Hungarian PM Péter Magyar is seen as a possible catalyst for renewed dialogue. Ukrainian officials also note ongoing corruption concerns, citing a recent scandal involving members of Zelensky’s circle, which the EU considers a key accession criterion.