Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a German proposal to grant Ukraine “associate” membership of the European Union, warning it would leave Kyiv without a meaningful voice in the bloc.
In a letter to EU leaders, Zelenskyy criticised the plan put forward by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which would allow Ukraine to take part in EU meetings and institutions without voting rights as an interim step towards full membership.
“We are defending Europe fully, not partially, and not with half-measures,” Zelenskyy said, stressing Ukraine’s frontline role in countering Russian aggression. “It would be unfair for Ukraine to be present in the European Union, but remain voiceless.”
The letter, addressed to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, also highlighted Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to meet EU standards despite the war.
Zelenskyy argued that the moment was right to advance accession talks, pointing to recent political changes within the EU, including the electoral defeat of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, a long-time opponent of Ukraine’s membership bid. He said Ukraine “deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe” and called for progress that reflects its contributions and sacrifices.
Merz has presented the “associate membership” concept as a pragmatic compromise, aimed at bridging the gap between Ukraine’s current candidate status and full EU accession. The proposal would grant Kyiv limited participation in EU institutions, gradual access to the EU budget and a political commitment to extend mutual defence provisions.
Germany has said the idea is intended to open discussion and accelerate Ukraine’s integration, while maintaining that full membership remains the ultimate objective.
EU officials, however, have cautioned that full accession is unlikely in the near term, given the need for unanimous approval from all member states and the scale of reforms required. While some diplomats see the German proposal as a way to speed up the process, others question its legal basis and whether a non-voting status would be acceptable to Kyiv.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that EU membership is a long-term process, but pointed to previous enlargements to argue that integration can move forward without limiting a country’s rights within the bloc.
A new artificial intelligence data centre in Armenia could be used for Western intelligence purposes, including against Russia, according to Russia...
Syria is carefully considering providing...
Scientists, astronauts and space industry leaders gathered in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday for the fourth day of the 77th International ...
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
An investigation into August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has no connection to Azerbaijan, informed sources have told AnewZ.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
A new artificial intelligence data centre in Armenia could be used for Western intelligence purposes, including against Russia, according to Russia's Security Council.
Scientists, astronauts and space industry leaders gathered in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday for the fourth day of the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). Designated as “Science and Academy Day,” discussions focused on the challenges of expanding human activities beyond Earth.
Spanish politicians traded blame on Thursday after the death of an 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her Madrid home exacerbated heated debates over housing ahead of an early election next month, as protests raged on across the country.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday 8 October, that Yerevan will discuss the possible construction of railway connections with the Turkish city of Kars and the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan with Russian officials next week, according to local media.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment