The Daily Populous Saturday May 23rd, 2026 evening edition
Authored by pravda.com.ua and submitted by pravda_eng_official

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written to European Union leaders stating that Germany's proposal to grant Ukraine "associate" member status is "unfair", as it would strip Kyiv of voting rights within the EU.

Source: a letter obtained by Reuters; European Pravda

Details: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously proposed allowing Ukraine to participate in EU meetings without voting rights as an interim step toward full EU membership.

In response, Zelenskyy noted in his letter, sent late on 22 May, that the removal of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán following last month's elections has created an opportunity for significant progress in accession talks.

"It would be unfair for Ukraine to be present in the ‌European ⁠Union, but remain voiceless. The time is right to move forward with Ukraine's membership in a full and meaningful way," the Ukrainian president said.

Zelenskyy thanked European leaders for their support during the war and noted that Ukraine serves as a shield against Russian aggression for the EU as a whole.

"We are defending Europe – fully, not ​partially, and not with half-measures. Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal ​rights within Europe," the Ukrainian president added.

The letter was addressed to European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha neither endorsed nor categorically rejected Friedrich Merz's idea of a new format for EU-Ukraine relations but reiterated Kyiv's position.

Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, stated that Ukraine does not object to the element of the German chancellor's "associate membership" proposal concerning participation in EU institutional work prior to full accession.

ddollarsign on May 23rd, 2026 at 11:46 UTC »

how can you be on the council and not be a master?

whatsbeef667 on May 23rd, 2026 at 10:49 UTC »

I respect Ukraine and Zelensky a lot but they are a nation that is

- an active warzone - full of corruption - not really very functioning economy even pre-war - being supported heavily by EU

if associate membership is not enough, then they should apply for full membership after problems above have been solved

eztkt on May 23rd, 2026 at 10:23 UTC »

As much as I want Ukraine to join the EU ultimately, I think it's disrespecting from Zelenskyy to complain of genuine effort to try to give Ukraine a place in the EU during an ongoing war. He wants full membership, that will be possible in peace time following usual process and requirement.