The EU has ruled out fast-tracking Ukraine’s accession and is preparing consolation offers instead – Politico

European Union countries have rejected the idea of accelerated membership for Ukraine, but are continuing to prepare a package of measures that would allow Kyiv to receive some privileges in the near future.

This was reported by Politico, citing sources.

The initiative for such a package emerged after EU countries rejected the idea of accelerated enlargement, which would have allowed Ukraine to join before completing key reforms. Instead, Brussels is considering a model of gradual integration that would give Kyiv tangible advantages already now, in parallel with fulfilling the necessary conditions for membership.

“Member states made it very clear that membership in the short term would be very difficult to imagine. But we need a positive proposal for how we can move forward together more effectively until that time,” one diplomat said.

Germany and France are actively involved in developing the new approach.

The European proposal includes expanded access to the EU market, funding programs, and deeper participation in EU programs. Another option is to grant Kyiv the status of an “acceding state.” Historically, this status has been applied to countries that have already signed an accession treaty and are awaiting its ratification.

Kyiv, for its part, is insisting on more concrete economic assistance.

As media previously wrote, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry recently spoke out against the idea, backed by France and Germany, of associate membership for Ukraine. Kyiv is counting only on full membership.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Ukraine may have to recognize territorial losses in order to join the European Union.