EU Prepares Temporary Privileges Package for Ukraine Instead of Accelerated Accession

The European Union is developing a package of temporary privileges for Ukraine, providing broader access to the European market and institutions without immediate full membership. This comes after EU leaders rejected the European Commission's idea of «accelerated enlargement». Instead, a model of «accelerated gradual integration» is being considered, which will give Ukraine tangible benefits while it continues to implement necessary reforms.

Germany and France are actively involved in developing the proposal. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called accelerated membership impossible, suggesting Ukraine be granted the right to participate in European Council meetings without voting rights and to be involved in certain European Parliament formats. Lithuania proposes granting Ukraine an interim status of an «acceding state».

Ukraine insists on specific economic assistance. Ukraine's Ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, stated that Kyiv seeks phased access to the EU single market, linked to reform progress, deeper participation in EU programs and institutions, and the swift conclusion of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA). This document would allow Ukrainian industrial goods to cross European borders without additional checks.

European officials emphasize that the new package will in no way replace the official accession process. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos considers hopes for Ukraine's full accession by 2027 to be «unrealistic». However, Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka expects the opening of official negotiation clusters in the coming weeks. A senior European Council official noted that Ukraine could close negotiation clusters by the end of 2027 only if the current pace of reforms is maintained.