Half of the allotted time has passed, yet progress on the plan amounts to only 15 points out of 100 – and most of that is preparatory work rather than reforms that have actually been launched.
If such a reform is accepted as fulfilling Ukraine's commitments and all related funding is disbursed, it will send a clear message to the authorities: violations of obligations carry no consequences and will ultimately be forgiven.
16 June 2026 — Mykhailo Zhernakov, Tetiana Shevchuk, for European Pravda
Public opinion in France regarding support for Ukraine has changed significantly since 2022. In particular, only 47% of respondents approve of European countries supplying weapons to Kyiv.
In a system built on consensus rather than majority voting, having a seat at the table can matter as much as having a vote. Candidate countries with speaking rights can shape EU decisions and legislation.
1 June 2026 — Steven Blockmans, Michael Emerson, For European Pravda
Klaus Welle does not use the term "associate membership", which has provoked resistance in Ukraine. However, he considers many elements of Merz's proposal beneficial for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a letter to the EU, has been highly critical of proposals by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding "associate membership" for Ukraine, calling them half-measures.
There are several EU countries that would be happy for Ukraine to remain stuck in the EU’s waiting room without voting rights and without access to European funds.