In a letter to EU leaders accessed by Reuters on Thursday (21 May), German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed interim EU associate status for Ukraine to facilitate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine and aid continental security provisions.
The proposed incorporation of Ukraine under a new status of “associate member” would enable Ukrainian officials to sit in on EU summits and ministerial meetings without voting rights.
Furthermore, Merz’s statement urged EU members to incorporate Ukraine within the bloc’s mutual assistance clause “in order to create a substantial security guarantee”.
A route to EU accession could prove essential to securing Ukrainian public support for President Zelensky's peace deal, especially in the possible event that Ukraine does not regain complete control of territories or join the NATO military alliance, analysts say.
Despite this, European officials have pointed out that full membership in the EU in the next few years may be unrealistic.
Merz’s proposal attempts to bridge Ukraine’s current status as a candidate country at the start of the EU accession process, with the ambitious calls for hasty admission to the bloc.
“My proposal reflects Ukraine's particular situation, a country at war. It will help facilitate the ongoing peace talks as part of a negotiated peace solution,” Merz wrote, adding this was “essential not only for Ukraine's but for the entire continent's security”.
Merz suggested a snap-back mechanism, or sunset clause, that could be invoked if Ukraine fails to comply with fundamental rights, rule of law, or structural reform standards.
Merz assured leaders that this proposal would not impede the admission processes of candidate countries that have been working to join the EU for a long period. Rather, Merz ushered the bloc to “look into innovative solutions” in paving paths toward EU membership.
Source: comonspace.eu with Reuters and DW
