Zelenskyy rejects symbolic EU path as Ukraine pushes for full membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the idea of any limited form of European Union membership for Ukraine, arguing that the country’s sacrifices in the war against Russia deserve a clear and full path into the bloc.
His comments came as EU leaders gathered for an informal summit in Cyprus, where Ukraine’s accession bid returned to the centre of political discussions after the approval of a €90 billion loan for Kyiv and a new package of sanctions against Russia. Having finally managed to unblock those measures, Brussels is now turning its attention to Hungary’s long-standing veto on Ukraine’s EU membership negotiations. Porque en Europa, desbloquear una cosa suele servir para recordar que hay otras diez atascadas.
Speaking to reporters on his way to Cyprus, Zelenskyy said Ukraine does not need a symbolic place in the EU, but full membership in recognition of its role in defending both its own territory and wider European security.
“Ukraine does not need symbolic membership in the EU,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukraine is defending itself and is definitely defending Europe. And it is not defending Europe symbolically – people are really dying.”
Kyiv calls for fairness from Brussels
Zelenskyy argued that Ukraine is fighting for the same democratic values on which the European Union is built, and said this should be reflected in the country’s accession process.
The Ukrainian leader acknowledged that discussions are taking place at different levels about possible formats for Ukraine’s relationship with the EU. However, he made clear that Kyiv should not accept a weaker arrangement presented as a substitute for full accession.
“I would like to warn, first of all, our Ukrainian institutions: please do not look for symbolic EU membership for Ukraine,” he said. “I do not support this. The people do not support it.”
Zelenskyy thanked countries including Germany, France, Poland and Romania for supporting Ukraine’s fast-track membership and for looking for ways to accelerate the process. Still, he stressed that Ukraine has already experienced enough symbolic promises in the past.
He referred to previous security arrangements, including the Budapest Memorandum, as well as what he described as a symbolic path towards NATO, arguing that Ukraine now deserves concrete membership in international alliances, including the European Union.
Ukraine’s EU accession process has remained blocked since July 2024, when Hungary held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and made clear that no negotiation cluster would be opened for Kyiv during its term.
Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has continued to oppose the opening of accession clusters, leaving Ukraine’s path towards the EU in a political deadlock.
The issue has gained renewed attention as EU leaders look to build on the momentum created by the approval of fresh financial support for Ukraine and the latest sanctions package targeting Russia.
EU leaders promise a next step
Speaking alongside Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Cyprus summit, European Council President António Costa said the EU had taken “two very important steps” by approving the €90 billion loan and new sanctions against Russia.
Costa said the next objective should be to open the first cluster of accession negotiations for Ukraine.
“Now it’s time to look forward and to prepare the next step, and the next step is to open the first cluster of negotiations for the Ukrainian accession to the European Union,” Costa said.
He added that the EU had delivered on financial support and sanctions, and insisted that it would also deliver on the next stage of Ukraine’s accession process.
