Juncker proposes partial membership for Ukraine in the EU!

Juncker proposes partial membership for Ukraine in the EU!

Luxemburg, Luxemburg - Luxembourg (dpa)-Former EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has made a daring proposal: an EU «partial membership» for Ukraine! In an interview with the German Press Agency, he explained that Ukraine could not quickly become a EU member. "There are many unresolved problems in Ukraine, from corruption to the rule of law that have to be smoothed before you can seriously consider Ukraine's accession," said Juncker.

Juncker, who was head of the EU Commission from 2014 to 2019, pleads to focus on models of partial membership instead of making empty promises to make immediate membership. "You shouldn't have false hopes for the Ukrainians," he warned. Ukraine had applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, just a few days after the beginning of the Russian war of aggression. Official accession negotiations have been running since June 25, 2024.

a new way for Ukraine

Juncker emphasized that it was important to make it clear to the Ukrainians that there is an access to membership. He sees partial membership as a way that would enable Ukraine to take part in important decisions of the EU without being a full member. "This would show the Ukrainians that their efforts are not without a positive response from the European Union," he said. This partial membership would mean that Ukraine could participate in certain political decisions and meetings of the EU, but without voting rights.

When asked how long such a partial membership could take, Juncker admitted that he had no schedule. He warned against giving the impression that immediate full membership is possible, because that would not do justice to the dignity of the Ukrainians. In addition, he skeptically commented on the optimistic statements by the future US President Donald Trump about a quick termination of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Juncker emphasized that the EU of Ukraine “as long as it is necessary” had to be aside. Partial membership is not provided for in Lisbon's current EU contract, but there are countries such as Norway and Switzerland that are closely linked to the EU without membership.