German Chancellor Merz proposed Ukraine become an 'associate member' of the EU.

According to AFP, sources close to the matter said on May 21 that German Chancellor Merkel proposed granting Ukraine "associate member" status in the EU. This plan was discussed by Merkel with EU partners last month. The proposal would allow Ukrainian leaders to attend bloc summits, but without the right to vote.

Under the roadmap submitted by Prime Minister Merz to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine will have representation in the most important EU institutions. Specifically, at the European Commission, Ukraine will have representation at the highest level of discussion within the EU executive body. In the European Parliament, Ukrainian members will participate but without voting rights. In terms of security and finance, the bloc's mutual assistance provisions will apply to Ukraine, and the country will have access to portions of the EU budget.

German Chancellor Merkel emphasized: "It is clear that we cannot complete the accession process in a short time, due to numerous obstacles and the political complexities of the ratification processes." According to Merkel, this is a political solution that would bring Ukraine closer to the EU and its core institutions immediately.

However, the German Chancellor's plan is facing skepticism from both EU partners and Ukraine. Kyiv fears that any temporary solution could leave them in a state of limbo, reducing their motivation to join formally.

To reassure the public, the German leader affirmed that he still wants Ukraine to become a "full member" in the future and called for the immediate launch of "all negotiating clusters." German Chancellor Merz stated: "This will not be a shortened membership."

For Ukraine, joining the EU is seen as a crucial element for national recovery and security, especially in the context of the US having virtually closed the door on its accession to NATO.