German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on the European Union to consider offering Ukraine “associate membership” as a means to reinvigorate negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia, according to a letter seen by The Associated Press. The proposal comes as the 27-nation bloc debates whether to launch its own talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid stalled US-mediated efforts.
Under Merz’s plan, Ukraine would participate in EU meetings and have non-voting representatives in the European Commission and European Parliament. He emphasised that this would not be “membership light” but would go beyond the existing Association Agreement, and suggested a “snap-back mechanism” if Ukraine backslides on democratic standards.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have reaffirmed that official membership talks with Ukraine should open “without delay,” a position Merz supports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed signs of progress, stating that Ukraine has fulfilled all necessary requirements.
However, candidate countries must align their laws with EU standards across 35 policy areas, requiring unanimous approval from all 27 member states. Hungary has previously blocked the opening of negotiations, but a new government in Budapest could change this stance. Merz’s plan also proposes extending this approach to other candidate countries, particularly in the Western Balkans.
On the war, Merz argued that associate membership would facilitate peace talks and enhance European security. Ukraine views EU membership as a key security guarantee, though NATO membership remains its preferred option, which the US has ruled out for now. As US-led mediation falters, EU countries are considering a parallel negotiating track, with speculation about potential mediators including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi.
