In a written answer published on 30 July 2026, European Commissioner for Enlargement Ms Kos welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal for 'associate membership' for Ukraine, but stressed that any innovative ideas must be assessed carefully and remain anchored in the merit-based accession process. Responding to a parliamentary question from Fabio De Masi (NI), Kos said the objective is not to create a substitute for membership or a second-class status, but to support Ukraine on its path towards full EU membership. The Commission's immediate focus, she added, remains advancing Ukraine's accession negotiations and supporting reform implementation.
The answer comes after Merz pitched the idea in a letter to EU leaders on 18 May 2026. Kos noted that the Commission has received the letter and welcomes the fact that Member States are actively reflecting on how to bring Ukraine closer to the EU, where Ukraine's future lies. She framed the discussion as evidence of strong commitment across the EU to make enlargement a reality.
Kos's response is largely declarative, offering no concrete proposals or timelines for how 'associate membership' might work. Instead, she reiterated the Commission's commitment to the existing accession framework, pointing to recent milestones: on 15 June 2026, the EU formally opened accession negotiations on Cluster 1 (Fundamentals) with Ukraine and Moldova, following a unanimous decision by Member States. This was followed by the opening of Cluster 6 (External relations) on 14 July 2026. Kos called for formalising decisions on the remaining clusters without further delay, as it would reaffirm the merit-based and credible character of the accession process.
The answer signals a cautious but open stance from the Commission, balancing political enthusiasm for innovative ideas with legal and institutional prudence. It also underscores a potential cleavage between those favouring accelerated, creative pathways for Ukraine and those prioritising the integrity of the accession process. While the Commission welcomes the debate, it clearly prefers to stick to the established methodology, which could disappoint those seeking faster integration. The immediate institutional follow-up will be the continued opening of negotiation clusters, with the next steps likely to be discussed in the coming months as the Commission prepares its annual enlargement package.