Zelenskyy Demands Full EU Membership: Is a 2028 Target Realistic?

A Blow to European Aspirations

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any form of symbolic membership in the European Union, insisting instead on full accession. He stressed that Ukraine can no longer be satisfied with symbolic alliances like the Budapest Memorandum or other security guarantees.

'We deserve full membership in various unions. And certainly in the European Union,' Zelenskyy stated.

Ukraine has been an EU candidate since 2022, with accession negotiations officially launched in 2023. However, amid the ongoing war and persistent uncertainty, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has voiced skepticism about Ukraine joining the bloc-even by January 1, 2028. He remarked:

'It won't work. Even January 1, 2028-that's unrealistic.'

The European Union has proposed an interim stage for Ukraine that would grant no voting rights or budget access, a move that has raised concerns among Ukrainian policymakers. According to the civil society movement 'Chesno,' the Verkhovna Rada has been slow to adopt EU integration laws due to unclear membership prospects. Over the past year, the parliament passed only 12 EU-related laws, while hundreds are needed to meet Brussels' requirements.

The European Commission has provided Ukraine with a list of conditions for closing six negotiation clusters, but those clusters remain unopened and talks have yet to begin. The EU's 'homework' list includes 135 benchmarks. Under the Ukraine Facility financial aid program, 18 legislative bills are already overdue.

Representatives of the ruling majority in the Verkhovna Rada have voiced concerns about pushing EU integration laws when Brussels openly suggests Ukraine is not a priority.

'We’ve seen rebellions before over taxation of sole proprietors and parcels. Now, when the EU openly says we’re not welcome, I have no idea how the government will get anyone to vote for anything EU-related,' one lawmaker noted.

Challenges on the Path to European Integration

Amid this uncertainty, First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniyenko has proposed an ambitious plan to pass over 350 EU-related laws per year. However, since 2023, the 'Servant of the People' party has failed to muster 226 votes, complicating legislative progress.

'We need to either put on our big boy pants or take off the cross,' summed up Olha Vasylevska-Smahluk, highlighting the urgent need to ramp up Ukraine's EU integration efforts.

Ukraine thus faces serious obstacles on its path to European integration, with the domestic political situation likely to significantly impact membership prospects. Despite support from the EU, the realities of war and internal politics risk slowing progress in EU integration processes-a factor crucial for the country's future stability and development.

As Ukraine pushes for full EU membership, the debate intensifies around the implications of alternative proposals, such as the recent suggestion from Germany and France for a status without voting rights. This raises critical questions about the future of Ukraine's integration into the EU and the potential impact on its sovereignty. To explore this contentious proposal and its significance, read more in our detailed analysis of the EU's alternative approach.