The European Union is discussing an unprecedented plan that could grant Ukraine partial membership in the coming years. Brussels is considering a phased scenario for accession by 2027 and has identified five key steps for its implementation.
This is reported by Politico.
According to sources among officials and diplomats, the EU is developing an idea that would give Ukraine a seat at the bloc’s table even before it completes all the reforms necessary for full membership. This approach would mean a significant change to the traditional EU enlargement procedure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of setting a specific date for accession: “That is why we say: name the date. Why a specific date? Because the date will be signed by Ukraine, Europe, the US, and Russia.”
One of the options being discussed in the EU has been unofficially dubbed “reverse enlargement” — when a country joins the bloc at the beginning of the implementation of the criteria and gradually acquires the full range of rights and obligations. Brussels believes that this will give Kyiv time to complete reforms of democratic institutions, the judicial and political systems, while maintaining its strategic course towards the West.
At the same time, there is no complete unity among EU states on this model. In particular, Germany is wary of creating multiple levels of membership, while the main political obstacle remains the position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who opposes Ukraine’s accession.
Possible ways to unblock the process include the results of the Hungarian elections, the influence of the US, in particular President Donald Trump, and, as a last resort, the use of EU mechanisms that could lead to restrictions on Budapest’s voting rights.
According to Politico, the EU is considering five steps for Ukraine’s possible accession:
- Prepare Ukraine for membership: The EU is already providing Kyiv with informal recommendations on negotiation “clusters” and is accelerating the preparation of reforms necessary for accession.
- Create a “partial membership” format: A “reverse enlargement” model is being considered, whereby Ukraine would first receive a place in the EU and then gradually acquire full rights and obligations after completing reforms.
- Wait for possible changes in Hungary’s position: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán remains a key obstacle, so Brussels is watching the results of the Hungarian elections and a potential change in Budapest’s policy.
- Use the political influence of the US: European leaders suggest that Donald Trump could influence Hungary as part of broader negotiations to end the war.
- Restrict Hungary’s voting rights if necessary: As a last resort, they are considering invoking Article 7 of the EU Treaty, which could lead to the suspension of the country’s membership rights, including voting on enlargement.