Berlin signals openness to negotiating concrete EU accession date for Ukraine

“A specific date is always possible,” he said.

At the same time, the German minister stressed that determining such a date would require separate work.

“What should it be? That needs to be negotiated. It’s not something that can be decided in the heat of the moment,” Pistorius said.

European Pravda noted that this was the first statement by the German government signaling that it considers the demand voiced by Ukraine to be acceptable.

On Feb. 11, Zelenskyy said he is being very cautious about media reports regarding European Union plans for Ukraine’s partial accession by 2027 and wants to hear a “specific date.”

On Feb. 9, Bloomberg reported, citing sources, that the European Union is preparing a range of options to incorporate Ukraine’s membership into a future peace agreement. In particular, it could be gradual and provide Kyiv with interim protections.

On Feb. 10, Politico reported that the EU is developing an unprecedented plan that could grant Ukraine partial membership in the bloc as early as 2027, as Brussels seeks to strengthen the country’s position in Europe and distance it from Moscow.