Ukraine may consider territorial concessions as part of a potential peace settlement in exchange for accelerated accession to the European Union, German newspaper Die Welt reported, citing sources in European diplomatic circles.
According to sources in Brussels, the US, as a mediator in possible negotiations, is allegedly promoting a scenario in which Kyiv receives the prospect of EU membership and security guarantees in exchange for Russia "significantly" consolidating control over Donbas.
Diplomats say that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “needs a real trump card” if he seeks to gain support from Ukrainian society for potential territorial concessions. In this context, the EU may consider accelerating the negotiation process for Ukraine’s accession.
According to the publication, in the informal scenarios being discussed, 2027 appears as a possible date for Ukraine's accession to the EU. At the same time, sources in Brussels call the terms of 2028–2030 more realistic and do not expect full membership next year.
" Territorial loss in exchange for EU membership and security guarantees seems to be Trump's formula for resolving the war in Ukraine. But will the Europeans be able to agree to this? " the article says.
At the same time, European diplomats acknowledge that Ukraine's accelerated accession to the EU within the current enlargement procedure looks like a difficult task. They note that the official process involves fulfilling a significant number of criteria, in particular in the areas of combating corruption and ensuring the rule of law.
No official confirmation of the existence of such a plan has been made public yet from the Ukrainian government, the European Commission, or the US administration.
