Politico: EU weighs plan to fast-track Ukraine’s partial membership by 2027

The European Union is considering an unprecedented plan that could grant Ukraine partial membership in the bloc as early as next year, as Brussels seeks to anchor Kyiv firmly in Europe and counter Moscow’s influence, according to officials and diplomats cited by Politico.

The proposal, still at an early stage, would mark a significant shift in the EU’s enlargement process. Rather than requiring a candidate country to complete all political, judicial and economic reforms before joining, the plan would allow Ukraine to take a seat at the EU table while continuing to work toward full membership. 

Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is pressing for EU membership by 2027, hoping it could be included as part of a future peace settlement with the Kremlin. Ukrainian and European officials argue that accelerating the accession process is urgent.

Russia is likely to try to “stop our movement into the EU,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv on February 6.

“That is why we say name the date. Why a specific date? Because the date will be signed by Ukraine, Europe, the USA and Russia.”

The concept has been informally dubbed “reverse enlargement” by EU officials and diplomats, as it would bring a country into the bloc at the beginning of the reform process rather than at the end.

Supporters say the approach could give Kyiv political reassurance and time to complete reforms to its democratic institutions, judiciary and political system, while reducing the risk that frustration with a long accession process could weaken Ukraine’s pro-Western trajectory.

Based on discussions with diplomats and EU and Ukrainian officials familiar with the confidential talks, Politico reported that the plan could involve a series of phased steps toward full integration.

However, the idea faces political hurdles. Germany, in particular, is against the idea of creating multiple tiers of EU membership and wary that countries that join the bloc before they’re ready will be promised things Brussels won’t be able to deliver, according to a senior diplomat. However, the hope is that if the EU’s other heavy-hitters such as Paris, Rome and Warsaw are behind the push, Berlin could be convinced. 

By Sabina Mammadli