Estonian analyst Gretsky: EU associate membership idea makes little sense for Ukraine

The question of Ukraine's EU membership resurfaced last week after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz floated the idea of a temporary 'associate member' status for Ukraine. Estonian political analyst Igor Gretsky argues the proposal holds little practical value for Kyiv. Ukrainian politicians have insisted that only full membership is acceptable.

The debate over Ukraine's path to the European Union flared up again last week, with Estonian political analyst Igor Gretsky weighing in on a proposal put forward by German Chancellor [Friedrich Merz](/politicians/friedrich-merz) that could see Ukraine granted a temporary 'associate member' status in the EU.

The idea emerged after various Ukrainian politicians publicly stated that only full EU membership is acceptable for their country. Shortly after, reports surfaced in international media that Merz had suggested Ukraine could be offered an interim arrangement that would grant it many — but not all — of the benefits that come with full membership. Crucially, no such legal category of 'associate member' currently exists under EU law.

## Gretsky's Assessment

[Igor Gretsky](/politicians/igor-gretsky), an Estonian political analyst specializing in Eastern European affairs, argues that the associate membership concept does not make much practical sense from Ukraine's perspective. While the proposal might appear to offer a middle-ground solution, it falls short of what Kyiv is seeking and would not deliver the security guarantees or economic integration that full EU accession would provide.

Gretsky's skepticism reflects a broader concern among Ukraine's supporters that half-measures could serve to delay or even derail Ukraine's official accession process, rather than accelerate it. Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in June 2022, and Kyiv has consistently pushed for a clear and credible path toward full membership.

## EU Membership Stakes

The question of Ukraine's EU future carries significant weight not only for Kyiv but also for countries like Estonia, which strongly supports Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. Tallinn has been among the most vocal advocates for Ukraine's membership prospects, viewing the country's accession as both a matter of regional security and democratic solidarity. Whether Merz's associate membership idea gains any traction within the EU institutions remains to be seen.