Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded that Ukraine be granted full membership of the European Union.
Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, had called for the country to be given a special half-in, half-out relationship, which would mean it could participate in European summits and ministerial meetings – but not cast a vote.
Mr Zelensky criticised the “associate membership” concept, branding it an “unfair” move that would leave Ukraine “voiceless”.
The Ukrainian president urged the EU to commit to his country’s full entry in a letter addressed to Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and Nikos Christodoulides, the Cypriot president who holds the rotating chair of the Council of Ministers.
“We are defending Europe – fully, not partially, and not with half-measures,” he wrote in a letter seen by Reuters late on Friday.
“Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe.”
Mr Zelensky added: “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.”
Mr Zelensky said that the removal of Viktor Orbán – the Hungarian prime minister who was a staunch opponent of Ukraine’s EU membership – in elections last month created the opportunity for substantive progress on accession talks.
Yeah, not gonna happen while in a war and having a corrupt govenment as it has now.
drkTwrCnt on
As an Ukrainian I understand this but even Ukraine has to follow the process and the protocols and the latest corruption incidents showed that there are not ready for an EU membership just yet.
I think the special membership could be a first step if it comes with security guarantees from other EU members and if those corruption issues are dealt with they can advance to a full membership.
marcusalien on
I think at this point it would only be fair to provide them with full membership!
OctoMatter on
I mean, I can see why he wants that and all but please EU stick to the rules. It’s already hard enough to make decisions with all the existing members. Nothing block you from support Ukraine in other ways.
SKULL1138 on
The EU shouldn’t be scared of Russia, Ukraine are the perfect buffer and should be welcomed into the EU and NATO or whatever it becomes after the US leave it.
HarEr89 on
No country fought more for Europe than Ukraine.
nemleszekpolcorrect on
He should not demand anything. Follow the process as every other country.
Kingofthewin on
Hard sell when country is at war. EU is in a strong position with Ukraine as is.
nemleszekpolcorrect on
If it is unfair, remain outside.
Kikelt on
headline misleading. Disinformation.
Vahuo89 on
If it’s not a full membership with vote power, then it’s not a full membership.
Simple as that
twinkleyed on
This might be an unpopular opinion, but the EU expanded way too fast, and I don’t think just because your country was ravaged by war, you should be entitled to anything.
NutsAboutFood on
Why should Ukraine get full membership only because it is in a war? That would mean that all other countries that followed the required process did it for nothing. Have the made sure all chapters of the approval process are aligned with the EU requirements? Have they dealt with the corruption? And not to mention, it would immediately drag EU into war directly.
Jeffgoldbum on
Ukraine is asking to be allowed to follow the proper process and Join the EU, not given an associate status forever,
Sea-Consequence-8263 on
Something is fishy about this guy
BiggussDickkuss on
demands the guy who’s running extractive war machine against own population and a corruption ring at the top of own office
20 Comments
**From The Telegraph:**
Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded that Ukraine be granted full membership of the European Union.
Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, had called for the country to be given a special half-in, half-out relationship, which would mean it could participate in European summits and ministerial meetings – but not cast a vote.
Mr Zelensky criticised the “associate membership” concept, branding it an “unfair” move that would leave Ukraine “voiceless”.
The Ukrainian president urged the EU to commit to his country’s full entry in a letter addressed to Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and Nikos Christodoulides, the Cypriot president who holds the rotating chair of the Council of Ministers.
“We are defending Europe – fully, not partially, and not with half-measures,” he wrote in a letter seen by Reuters late on Friday.
“Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe.”
Mr Zelensky added: “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.”
Mr Zelensky said that the removal of Viktor Orbán – the Hungarian prime minister who was a staunch opponent of Ukraine’s EU membership – in elections last month created the opportunity for substantive progress on accession talks.
**Read more here:** [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/23/ukraine-eu-zelensky-merz-leyen/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/23/ukraine-eu-zelensky-merz-leyen/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_reddit&accesscontrol=facebookchannel_open)
It’s the telegraph.
Yeah, not gonna happen while in a war and having a corrupt govenment as it has now.
As an Ukrainian I understand this but even Ukraine has to follow the process and the protocols and the latest corruption incidents showed that there are not ready for an EU membership just yet.
I think the special membership could be a first step if it comes with security guarantees from other EU members and if those corruption issues are dealt with they can advance to a full membership.
I think at this point it would only be fair to provide them with full membership!
I mean, I can see why he wants that and all but please EU stick to the rules. It’s already hard enough to make decisions with all the existing members. Nothing block you from support Ukraine in other ways.
The EU shouldn’t be scared of Russia, Ukraine are the perfect buffer and should be welcomed into the EU and NATO or whatever it becomes after the US leave it.
No country fought more for Europe than Ukraine.
He should not demand anything. Follow the process as every other country.
Hard sell when country is at war. EU is in a strong position with Ukraine as is.
If it is unfair, remain outside.
headline misleading. Disinformation.
If it’s not a full membership with vote power, then it’s not a full membership.
Simple as that
This might be an unpopular opinion, but the EU expanded way too fast, and I don’t think just because your country was ravaged by war, you should be entitled to anything.
Why should Ukraine get full membership only because it is in a war? That would mean that all other countries that followed the required process did it for nothing. Have the made sure all chapters of the approval process are aligned with the EU requirements? Have they dealt with the corruption? And not to mention, it would immediately drag EU into war directly.
Ukraine is asking to be allowed to follow the proper process and Join the EU, not given an associate status forever,
Something is fishy about this guy
demands the guy who’s running extractive war machine against own population and a corruption ring at the top of own office
Exige ?
Could he demand it for us too?