Nicosia, April 24 (V7N) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Friday that an "immediate accession" of Ukraine to the European Union is currently not possible, though he proposed a path for closer institutional integration in the meantime.

Speaking after an EU summit in Cyprus attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Chancellor Merz suggested that Kyiv could begin participating in European Council meetings, albeit without voting rights. "I also want to enable closer integration into the European institutions," Merz told reporters, framing the proposal as a way to bridge the gap while full membership remains a long-term goal.

Ukraine has been aggressively lobbying for a fast-tracked membership process as it continues to battle the Russian invasion. While the recent electoral defeat of Hungary’s Viktor Orban—who had long blocked Kyiv’s progress—has cleared some political hurdles, many EU leaders remain hesitant to bypass standard accession protocols.

Despite the proposal for "interim benefits," President Zelensky has voiced strong opposition to any "lesser status." Addressing journalists in Cyprus, Zelensky insisted that his country does not seek symbolic gestures. "We are defending common European values. I believe that we deserve full-fledged EU membership," he stated, reflecting Kyiv's fear that interim solutions might result in the country being stranded in a diplomatic "halfway house" for years.

The EU is currently considering opening the first of several negotiating "clusters" for Ukraine, but the timeline for full membership remains the central point of contention between Kyiv and major European powers like Germany.