Ukraine's EU ambassador urges focus on substance over titles in accession talks

• Ukraine's EU ambassador Vsevolod Chentsov advocates for focusing on the substance of EU accession rather than formal titles.
• He believes gradual integration can provide early benefits to Ukraine.
• Chentsov expressed Ukraine's readiness to open all EU accession clusters immediately.
• Ukraine and Moldova recently agreed to advance the second of six accession clusters.
• President Zelenskyy maintains Ukraine deserves full membership, not partial participation.

Ukraine's ambassador to the European Union, Vsevolod Chentsov, has urged that the focus of EU enlargement talks should be on substantive progress rather than formal titles or labels. He suggested that gradual integration could offer early benefits to Ukraine as it pursues accession.

Chentsov indicated that various European capitals, including Germany, are exploring ways to integrate Ukraine more closely into the bloc. He specifically mentioned a proposal from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for an "associate membership" status that would include security guarantees. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently advocated for full membership, rejecting any form of partial participation.

"Let's not concentrate on the title, let's concentrate on the substance," Chentsov told Euronews, emphasizing the need to deepen partnership, economic cooperation, and institutional alignment. He noted that Ukraine and Moldova recently achieved a milestone by agreeing to proceed with the second of six accession clusters, with formal confirmation anticipated on July 14.

Ukraine and the European Commission have been advocating for the simultaneous opening of all remaining accession clusters, arguing that preparatory work is complete. Chentsov stated that Ukraine is prepared to open all EU accession clusters immediately, seeing no reason for further delays and emphasizing the need for swift progress.