Germany’s Merz pitches making Ukraine EU ‘associate member’
Kyiv would have a representative at the top table of the EU’s executive, the European Commission, and non-voting members of the European parliament
May 21, 2026 04:01
BRUSSELS: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed making Ukraine an “associate member” of the EU without voting rights, while Kyiv goes through the lengthy process of joining fully, a letter seen by AFP Thursday said.
The plan — first floated by Merz with EU counterparts last month — would see Ukraine’s leader attend the bloc’s summit but not be able to cast a vote.
