European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has stated that the European Union must respond rapidly to the pace of Ukraine’s reforms and avoid using discussions about alternative integration models as a way to delay full membership. This declaration was made during the GLOBSEC security conference in Prague, according to Ukrinform.
Metsola emphasized that despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has shown impressive progress in aligning its legislation and technical standards with EU requirements. She noted that the work Ukraine has accomplished in record time would typically take other countries a decade. “We cannot turn our back without responding to this speed with the same speed,” she argued, calling for the immediate opening of the first negotiating clusters to provide the Ukrainian people with tangible results for their efforts.
The President of the European Parliament specifically warned against using intermediate or alternative integration models as a tool for procrastination. While she acknowledged that such models could facilitate participation in specific areas like the single market, roaming, or student exchange programs, she insisted these mechanisms cannot serve as a substitute for a definitive political decision regarding membership.
Metsola cautioned against using these various models as an excuse to keep candidate countries “parked” indefinitely. She reaffirmed that while expansion is merit-based, the fundamental decision that Ukraine will join the EU has already been made, and this commitment must be upheld.
This firm stance from the European Parliament serves as a crucial counterweight to recent proposals from some EU capitals suggesting symbolic or limited status for Ukraine, which would lack key rights or a voice in decision-making. By insisting on a clear path toward full membership, Metsola underlines that Ukraine’s integration is not just a diplomatic objective but a geopolitical necessity for a secure and unified Europe. As the war continues to challenge the security architecture of the entire continent, the EU’s ability to remain consistent with its promises is being tested. The message from the European Parliament is clear: Ukraine’s path to membership is non-negotiable, and bureaucratic obstacles must not be allowed to replace the strategic commitment made by the Union to the people of Ukraine.