The European Union is crafting a package of short-term benefits for Ukraine, following the rejection of fast-tracking its full membership. This initiative aims to draw Ukraine closer to the EU by offering increased market access and participation in EU programs and institutions. These measures, known as ‘accelerated gradual integration,’ are seen as a necessary step by EU diplomats who wish to provide Kyiv with a tangible path forward while it continues to undertake vital reforms required for formal membership.

Countries like Germany and France are pivotal in forming this proposal, cautious of a rushed accession yet eager to maintain strategic ties with Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has suggested involving Ukraine in European Councils without granting voting rights. Additionally, a Lithuanian proposal suggests classifying Ukraine as an ‘acceding state,’ denoting its steady movement towards fulfilling membership prerequisites.

While the EU pushes for more incremental integration steps, Ukrainian officials, including its ambassador to the EU Vsevolod Chentsov, stress the urgency of economic assistance. Ukraine seeks phased access to the EU Single Market, linked to ongoing reforms, alongside prompt advancements in trade agreements such as the ACAA, which would streamline the movement of industrial products across borders. They also urge the inclusion of Ukrainian industries in strategic dialogues within the EU to foster alignment with European economic value chains.

The broader picture for Ukraine’s EU ambitions, however, remains challenging, with the accession process expected to be a protracted one. Despite political goodwill, officials like Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos have noted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s aspiration for a 2027 entry is unrealistic. The push for interim benefits can’t replace the formal accession process, EU diplomats insist, reiterating the need to return to standard procedures for Ukraine and Moldova’s integration ambitions without delay.

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