German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed offering Ukraine a new special status as an "associate member" of the European Union in response to Kiev's demand for swift accession, according to a letter seen by dpa on Thursday.
In the letter to EU leaders, Merz advocated immediately integrating Ukraine more closely into the bloc's institutions, while initially withholding full membership and voting rights.
Merz argues that the move is justified by Ukraine's special situation as a country at war and by significant progress in accession talks. The proposal is also intended to help facilitate peace talks initiated by US President Donald Trump, including through a political commitment by EU member states to extend the bloc's mutual defence clause to Ukraine.
The special status would send a strong political signal that Ukraine and its citizens urgently need in their ongoing fight against Russian aggression, according to the letter.
At the same time, Merz considers Ukraine's full accession to the EU in the near future unrealistic.
"It is obvious that we will not be able to complete the accession process shortly," Merz wrote to European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, whose country currently holds the EU presidency.
Merz cited "countless hurdles" and politically difficult ratification procedures in several member states.
The chancellor proposed that the EU negotiate immediately and without delay on all issues relevant to accession. He also called for discussion of "associate membership," which he said could be a decisive step on Ukraine's path to full membership.
"It would not be membership light," he wrote, adding that it would go far beyond the existing association agreement and further accelerate the accession process.
