French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Ukraine’s path to EU membership could stretch over many years. “We know the EU accession process can take years or even decades. Let’s be honest, the EU cannot be the only way to reorganize the European continent in the near term.”
He emphasized that Ukraine is already part of the European family. Macron proposed the creation of a new “European political community” in which Kyiv would be welcomed from day one. He recalled François Mitterrand’s earlier notion of a “European confederation” and noted that such a framework would let Ukraine participate actively in European affairs without forcing tighter membership conditions on any candidate.
“Participation in the new European political community will not tilt the balance against countries seeking EU membership,” Macron asserted.
He argued that European policymakers need to rethink the geography and organization of cooperation to meet the hopes not only of Ukraine but also of Georgia and Moldova.
“Without humiliating both sides”
The French leader urged keeping Europe at peace and preventing any escalation in Ukraine. He also said that Kyiv should set the terms of negotiations with Moscow, adding, “We are not at war with Russia.”
Europe should reduce its dependence on Russian energy and remain self-reliant. “Our independence is the condition of our freedom,” he stated.
He underscored the aim of achieving a ceasefire without widening the conflict across Europe and said that, once the fighting ends, Russia and Ukraine will sit down to talks. “Russia and Ukraine will determine the terms of these negotiations. This should be done without blaming or humiliating any party,” he added.
Macron warned that the weeks ahead would be challenging and would require unity and effort across Europe.
Two parts of the survey
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted the country’s EU accession application at the end of February. On April 8, the European Commission provided Kyiv with a questionnaire needed to begin negotiations. EC chief Ursula von der Leyen later said Ukraine’s application would be reviewed in the summer, noting that the Council usually takes longer to decide on membership.
Ten days later, Zelensky delivered the first section of the questionnaire to the head of the EU Delegation. The second portion, consisting of about four thousand pages, followed on May 9.
Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Europe and Euro-Atlantic Integration, expressed optimism that a positive decision from the European Commission could pave the way for a future move toward the EU by month’s end.
Following a recommendation from the EC that negotiations begin, Ukraine will still need to reach agreement with European negotiators. Such coordination can take years or even decades. As a reference, Finland completed a similar track in roughly three years, while Turkey has stalled since negotiations began in 2005.
Who awaits Ukraine in the EU?
Croatian Prime Minister Andriy Plenković warned that Ukraine’s path to EU integration would be slow, noting that no one joins overnight. After the EU leaders’ summit in France, he cautioned against quick conclusions.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged the EU to make promises it can keep, reminding that Western Balkan countries also seek entry. Still, she affirmed the EU home for Ukraine is clear.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg proposed a tailored model of cooperation for Ukraine within the EU framework, emphasizing that full membership should not be automatic and that the Western Balkans should not be forgotten as they await their own paths forward.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova’s accession is not an immediate priority; the primary focus should be on ending the war first.
In March, eight EU states publicly supported speeding up Ukraine’s path to membership, urging other European partners to grant candidate status. The leaders of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia called for swift action. Zelensky later expressed belief in the support of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, France, and Germany at critical moments, underscoring shared resolve among Europe’s leaders and peoples.
In sum, the debate remains about balancing ambition with realism. The EU faces a test of unity, readiness to adapt its neighborhood framework, and a clear commitment to helping Ukraine progress—without compromising the broader goals of peace and stability across the region. This is the context in which Kyiv, Brussels, and allied capitals navigate the coming months, weighing timelines against the urgency of ending conflict and building durable European ties.
[Source attribution: European Council briefings and European Commission communications]