MEP Fabio De Masi (NI) has asked the Council of the European Union to clarify its position on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal for 'associate membership' for Ukraine, and whether the option will be discussed at an upcoming Council meeting.
The written question, submitted on 4 June 2026, follows a letter from Merz to EU leaders on 18 May 2026 in which he floated the idea of a new 'associate membership' status for Ukraine, potentially as an alternative to full EU membership. De Masi's question presses the Council on its view of the proposal and whether it plans to formally debate the concept.
The question does not specify a timeline for a Council reply, but EU institutions typically respond to parliamentary questions within six weeks. The answer will signal whether the Council is open to exploring alternative integration models for Ukraine or remains committed to the existing enlargement framework.
De Masi, a non-attached MEP and former member of The Left group, has been critical of EU enlargement policy in the past. His question may reflect broader concerns among some MEPs about the pace and conditions of Ukraine's accession process, as well as the potential implications of creating a new membership tier for the EU's institutional architecture.