Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a letter to European Union leaders that a German proposal to grant Ukraine ‘associate’ member status in the European Union is ‘unfair’ because it would leave Kiev without a voice within the bloc.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz this week suggested allowing Ukraine to participate in EU meetings and institutions without a vote as an interim step toward full membership in the bloc, which he said could help facilitate a deal to end the four-year war triggered by Russia’s invasion.
In response, Zelenskiy said in a letter sent late on Friday, reviewed by Reuters, that Ukraine is moving quickly with reforms needed for full EU membership while at the same time acting as a bulwark against Russian aggression for the entire 27-nation bloc.
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“We are defending Europe – fully, not partially, and not with half measures,” the 48-year-old leader said, accusing Russia of trying to destroy European unity and destabilize parts of the continent. ‘It would be unfair for Ukraine to be present in the European Union but remain voiceless.’
The letter was addressed to the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, who holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.
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Zelenskiy thanked European leaders for their support during the war – Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II. EU states last month approved a two-year loan worth €90 billion to help finance Ukraine’s war efforts, after months of delays.
Zelenskiy said there is now an opportunity for substantial progress in accession negotiations following the departure of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a staunch opponent of Ukraine’s EU membership who lost elections in April.
“The time is right to move forward with Ukraine’s accession in a full and meaningful way,” Zelenskiy said in his message. ‘Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe.’
