Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Katschka welcomed the proposal from CDU politician Friedrich Merz, who suggested granting Ukraine a special status as an “associated member” of the European Union. Speaking to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Friday edition), Katschka emphasized that any step that speeds up Ukraine’s accession to the EU would be beneficial for the country. He stated that neither the EU nor Ukraine can afford to waste time, although he cautioned that such proposals must not distract from the main objective of full membership.
Katschka further demanded the prompt opening of all negotiating clusters, noting that Ukraine is making good progress in its reform efforts. He stressed that the nation’s membership must be “based on performance”. While cautioning against seeking a quick fix, he acknowledged that Europe has been operating in a new reality since the Russian aggression. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed optimism that Ukraine would meet all EU requirements and sign the accession treaty by the end of 2027.