The European Union is currently developing a comprehensive package of temporary privileges for Ukraine, aiming to provide broader access to the European single market and institutions without the immediate granting of full membership. This development is reported by Politico, citing four European diplomats familiar with the ongoing internal discussions. The proposed initiative serves as a bridge, keeping Ukraine’s European momentum alive while adjusting expectations for a rapid accession timeline.
The new proposal emerged as a compromise after EU leaders rejected the European Commission’s initial idea of an “accelerated enlargement,” which would have allowed Ukraine’s accession before the completion of all fundamental reforms. Instead, officials in Brussels are actively considering a model of “accelerated gradual integration.” This approach is designed to provide Ukraine’s economy and society with tangible, immediate benefits while the country continues implementing the deep structural transformations required for full-fledged membership.
“Member states have made it clear that membership in the short term will be very difficult to imagine. But we need a positive offer on how we can better move forward together until that time,” one diplomat noted. Germany and France are reportedly the leading forces behind the development of this alternative mechanism.
Germany’s pragmatic stance has become particularly evident in recent days. Last week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz explicitly called accelerated membership for Ukraine impossible, noting that joining the bloc by 2027 or even 2028 is unrealistic. However, to maintain integration, he proposed granting Kyiv the right to participate in European Council meetings in an observer capacity—without voting rights—and involving Ukrainian representatives in specific European Parliament formats. Recent reports also indicate that Merz envisions this gradual EU integration as a critical component of a future broader peace settlement. According to the Chancellor, if Kyiv eventually has to make painful compromises in a peace treaty, the Ukrainian leadership will need an irreversible guarantee of EU integration to secure public support.
Meanwhile, Lithuania has put forward an ambitious proposal to grant Ukraine the intermediate status of an “acceding country.” Historically, this status has been reserved for states that have already signed an accession treaty and are merely awaiting formal ratification. The Lithuanian document argues that Ukraine’s case “proves its European path has reached a level of resilience and dedication that deserves such recognition.”
Despite these political debates over status, Ukraine remains focused on securing concrete economic and institutional support. Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the EU, emphasized that Kyiv is primarily seeking phased access to the EU single market, strictly linked to its progress in reforms. Additionally, Ukraine expects deeper participation in European programs and the swift conclusion of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA).
The implementation of the ACAA would allow Ukrainian industrial goods to cross the European border without the need for additional checks and certifications. Ukraine also advocates for its enterprises to be included in the European Commission’s industrial strategy discussions, particularly in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, metallurgy, and the chemical industry. Chentsov argues that such practical steps will yield “immediate economic benefits” and significantly bolster investor confidence.
Nevertheless, European officials continually stress that the new package of privileges will by no means replace the formal, legally binding accession process. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has stated that hopes for Ukraine’s full accession by 2027 remain “unrealistic.” Yet, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, maintains an optimistic outlook, anticipating the opening of official negotiating clusters in the coming weeks.