Zelenskyy demands full EU membership instead of symbolic ties

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

KYIV, UKRAINE — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected the idea of partial or symbolic European Union membership, demanding full integration after the bloc successfully unlocked a €90 billion loan for Kyiv.

The statement comes amid renewed diplomatic momentum following the approval of fresh financial aid and new sanctions against Russia. Zelenskyy's remarks aim to pressure European allies to bypass Hungary's long-standing political veto and accelerate Ukraine's accession process, emphasizing that the country is defending European values with the lives of its citizens.

Rejecting symbolic guarantees

Speaking to journalists via a presidential WhatsApp group chat en route to an informal summit in Cyprus, Zelenskyy emphasized that his country deserves a concrete place within the 27-nation bloc. He explicitly warned Ukrainian institutions against settling for alternative formats of integration.

Citing past diplomatic failures such as the Budapest Memorandum and the symbolic path to NATO, the Ukrainian leader stated that the nation has had enough of symbolic guarantees that fail to provide real security or economic inclusion.

"Ukraine does not need symbolic membership in the EU. Ukraine is defending itself, and it is absolutely defending Europe. And it is not defending Europe symbolically—people are actually dying."

Hungary's veto and political shifts

Ukraine's path to the European Union has faced significant roadblocks since July 2024, when Hungary assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council. Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán previously declared that Budapest would not open a single negotiation cluster during its term, effectively stalling the process. With the new political shifts anticipated in Budapest, European leaders are hoping to regain momentum regarding Kyiv's membership bid.

European Council's perspective

Arriving at the Cyprus summit, European Council President António Costa highlighted the unblocked €90 billion loan and new Russian sanctions as crucial steps toward a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. According to Euronews, Costa insisted that the bloc has delivered on its financial promises and that the next logical step is to officially open the first chapter of accession negotiations.

Diverging views among EU leaders

While some European officials advocate for a swift integration process, others remain highly cautious about bypassing standard procedures. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal expressed optimism about a "fresh start" for Ukraine's accession, noting that the country's future undoubtedly lies in Europe and that it is simply a matter of "when," rather than "if."

Conversely, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden stressed that there are no shortcuts to accession, adding that the bloc must continue to operate based on its core values and strict membership conditions. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever echoed this sentiment, remarking that Ukraine joining the EU in the short term is entirely unrealistic.

Next steps and timelines

Despite the cautious tone from several Western European capitals, Ukrainian officials maintain their desire to progress according to established rules, but without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, stated his hope that some chapters could be formally closed by the end of this year. Kachka added that rapid progress could lead to realistic discussions about a formal accession treaty and widespread integration into the internal market by next year.

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