German ambassador on Merz's idea of special status for Ukraine in EU: "The best proposal"

German Ambassador to Ukraine Haiko Thoms asserts that the special status for Ukraine proposed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of its EU accession is the best idea among those with a realistic chance of being agreed by member states and offers Ukraine advantages rather than the risks others have seen in the proposal.

The German ambassador argues that criticism of Chancellor Merz's letter proposing a special status for Ukraine ahead of full EU accession is at times linked to a misreading of the intentions behind it.

"Here I want to state very clearly: the proposal Germany has made to Ukraine is the most concrete proposal regarding an integration format that has ever been on the table in the EU. And it is probably the best proposal that will be discussed in the near future with regard to Ukraine," Thoms stressed in an interview with European Pravda.

When asked a clarifying question by European Pravda about the Lithuanian idea – "acceding state" status – he emphasised that he was speaking specifically about the best realistic proposal currently available.

He stressed that Berlin seeks Ukraine's EU accession as quickly as possible and that Merz's proposal is aimed at accelerating this process and giving Ukraine additional opportunities to be represented in Brussels even before accession.

"This is not second-class membership. This is not an interim status that will then become permanent. Rather, it is an additional proposal developed for Ukraine on its path to full EU membership," Thoms stressed.

He also dismissed concerns that Ukraine could become stuck in a "semi-member" status as a result of the proposal.

Thoms is convinced that Merz's proposal only expands the opportunities Ukraine has within the "standard" path to the EU. "You get some additional benefits, signs of membership, without waiting for accession. Right now! And no other candidate country will have this opportunity," the ambassador argued.

"You will be represented in the College of Commissioners, you will have members in the European Parliament, you will have the right to participate in the European Council and even your own observer judge in the European Court, and you will gradually be able to benefit from the application of the acquis communautaire. In short, we are offering Ukraine full EU membership, as Zelenskyy wants, plus something extra on top," he argued.

Thoms said that the special status could come into effect immediately once all member states agree to the idea – and provided that official Kyiv supports it.

"And let me stress: (...) it is not predetermined that all EU member states will definitely agree to this German proposal. No, Germany and Ukraine still need to work on its approval together. Germany feels an obligation to do this," Thoms said.

The ambassador noted that Germany is prepared to change the original name of the idea – "associate membership" – to another that will not invite criticism.