Zelensky Rejects Associate EU Membership for Ukraine

In a letter to EU leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Germany's proposal for Ukraine's associate membership of the European Union, calling it unfair and warning that Kyiv would remain voiceless within the bloc.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed that Ukraine participate temporarily in EU negotiations without a vote, as an intermediate step towards full membership. Merz has suggested the arrangement could also help facilitate an end to the war with Russia.

In the letter, addressed to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who holds the rotating chair of the EU Council, Zelensky said an opportunity had arisen to advance accession negotiations following the departure of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine was defending the whole of Europe against Russian aggression. "Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe", he wrote.

(reuters, lud)