European Union officials on Friday poured cold water on a U.S. proposal to fast-track Ukraine’s EU membership by 2027 as part of a plan to end the war with Russia, calling the timeline unrealistic and beyond Washington’s authority.
The complicated EU accession process usually takes years and requires a unanimous vote from all 27 members of the bloc, and some countries, most notably Hungary, have consistently voiced opposition to Ukraine joining.
The idea of a speedy accession is included in the latest version of a U.S.-led plan to end the war, which would also see Ukraine cede land to Russia, and has triggered a diplomatic frenzy across Europe in recent weeks.
"It's stated there, but it's a matter for negotiation, and the Americans support it," the senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, referring to the U.S. plan.
Washington has the leverage needed to convince leaders opposed to Ukraine's membership to change their stance, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists, including AFP, on Thursday.
