Ukraine’s EU membership continues to be viewed with skepticism

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for a dialogue between the European Union and the Russian Federation to end the war in Ukraine and ensure peace on the "old continent".

Fico believes that Brussels lacks sufficient initiative and has described himself as the only prime minister who maintains contacts with both sides of the conflict. He believes that Kiev ,,must voluntarily express its agreement’’ on the possible terms of a peace agreement.

,,If anyone in the EU is tired of 80 years of peace, it is certainly not me’’, he stressed.

Previously, Fico said that Ukraine was not ready to join the European Union.

,,What explanations will we give to Montenegro, Serbia or even Albania? They have been waiting for a long time. In the end, will we accept them in exchange for Ukraine receiving considerable European benefits?’’, the prime minister asked.

On May 21 this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz revealed that he had sent a letter to the main EU institutions proposing the country's integration into the bloc without yet obtaining full membership status.

According to Merz’s plan, Ukraine would participate in EU meetings but would not have the right to vote. Instead, it would be able to appoint an associate judge to the European Court of Justice and representatives to the European Parliament.

As for immediate accession, the chancellor is against it, advocating for closer cooperation with Kiev within European institutions.