EU considers including Ukraine's membership in peace agreement – Bloomberg

That is according to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, Ukrinform reports.

The options under consideration include providing Kyiv up front with the protection that comes with EU accession as well as immediate access to some membership rights, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

At the same time, the bloc would give Ukraine a clear timeframe of steps that it needs to take to advance with the formal procedure, according to the people.

Other options on the table would entail continuing along the existing accession path or introducing a transition period and gradual membership to the process, they said.

Kyiv's future accession to the EU is part of the discussion on a peace agreement, a spokesperson for European Commission said in a response to questions from Bloomberg.

The EU is building on close links with candidate countries ahead of their accession. In the case of Ukraine, the bloc is already using such opportunities as part of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, according to the spokesperson.

Kyiv was granted candidate status in 2022 after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, and approval to begin accession talks at the end of 2023. Formal negotiations began in 2024 but the process has been stalled by Hungary which is blocking the opening of so-called negotiating chapters.

EU membership usually takes years and progress requires the backing of all member states.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that after the war Russia will seek to obstruct Ukraine's accession to the EU, which is why a peace agreement must include a specific date for Ukraine's EU membership.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine