Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a letter to EU leaders that a German proposal to grant Ukraine "associate" membership of the European Union was "unfair" because it would leave Kiev without a voice inside the bloc.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has suggested allowing Ukraine to participate in EU meetings without a vote as an interim step to full membership of the bloc, which he said could help facilitate a deal to end the four-year-old war with Russia.
In response, Zelenskyy said in his letter, sent late on Friday and reviewed by Reuters, that the removal of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban — a staunch opponent of Ukraine's EU membership — following elections last month created the opportunity for substantive progress on accession talks.
"It would be unfair for Ukraine to be present in the European Union, but remain voiceless," Zelenskyy said in his message.
"The time is right to move forward with Ukraine's membership in a full and meaningful way."
Zelenskyy thanked European leaders for their support during the war, and said that Ukraine was acting as a bulwark against Russian aggression for the whole of the 27-nation bloc.
"We are defending Europe — fully, not partially, and not with half-measures," he said. "Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe."
