{"id":1956487,"date":"2026-05-26T17:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T14:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1956487"},"modified":"2026-05-26T17:10:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T14:10:00","slug":"no-alternative-to-full-eu-membership-ukraines-deputy-pm-tells-euronews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1956487","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;No alternative to full EU membership&#8217;, Ukraine\u2019s deputy PM tells Euronews"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/24\/78\/1200x675_cmsv2_13a2c9bf-d019-5d48-811a-37321b89be49-9772478.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2896746-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896746\" data-cid=\"9773074\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896746-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/74\/189x106_cmsv2_a6d44d12-c8a7-5326-a24f-f84d6fea74a8-9773074.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Hun Kim, Chief Partnerships Officer AIIB\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mobilising private capital to scale digital infrastructure in Asia\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896788-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2896788\" data-cid=\"9773302\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896788-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/33\/02\/189x106_cmsv2_a3d3bb9b-7e5a-569d-83ef-7ea68cf0f339-9773302.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Emergency personnel work at a level crossing where a train collided with a school van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, 26 May, 2026. (AP Photo\/Marius Burgelman)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium level crossing crash &#8216;one of the worst&#8217; in country\u2019s history\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896840-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896840\" data-cid=\"9773561\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896840-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/35\/12\/189x106_cmsv2_a738a71c-0c8f-56d4-bcfd-1d4e6b0bc470-9773512.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Bad Bunny on stage\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Six arrested over ticket touting for Bad Bunny in Lisbon\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896748-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896748\" data-cid=\"9773076\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896748-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/15\/08\/189x106_cmsv2_a40601df-e0e7-5b42-add8-1902f9afdb7c-9771508.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A sanitation worker from the Bunia city government disinfects the central market, as Ituri province continues to combat an Ebola outbreak, in Bunia, Congo, May 23, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU and UNICEF send 100 tonnes of aid to DR Congo amid Ebola outbreak\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896746-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896746\" data-cid=\"9773074\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896746-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/74\/189x106_cmsv2_a6d44d12-c8a7-5326-a24f-f84d6fea74a8-9773074.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Hun Kim, Chief Partnerships Officer AIIB\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mobilising private capital to scale digital infrastructure in Asia\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896788-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2896788\" data-cid=\"9773302\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896788-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/33\/02\/189x106_cmsv2_a3d3bb9b-7e5a-569d-83ef-7ea68cf0f339-9773302.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Emergency personnel work at a level crossing where a train collided with a school van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, 26 May, 2026. (AP Photo\/Marius Burgelman)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium level crossing crash &#8216;one of the worst&#8217; in country\u2019s history\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896840-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896840\" data-cid=\"9773561\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896840-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/35\/12\/189x106_cmsv2_a738a71c-0c8f-56d4-bcfd-1d4e6b0bc470-9773512.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Bad Bunny on stage\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Six arrested over ticket touting for Bad Bunny in Lisbon\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896748-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896748\" data-cid=\"9773076\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896748-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/15\/08\/189x106_cmsv2_a40601df-e0e7-5b42-add8-1902f9afdb7c-9771508.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A sanitation worker from the Bunia city government disinfects the central market, as Ituri province continues to combat an Ebola outbreak, in Bunia, Congo, May 23, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU and UNICEF send 100 tonnes of aid to DR Congo amid Ebola outbreak\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          My Europe Series<\/p>\n<p>                          12 minutes with<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            &#8216;No alternative to full EU membership&#8217;, Ukraine\u2019s deputy PM tells Euronews<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative u-max-width-1280 u-margin-x-auto\" data-video=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;xabarga&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:2896636,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&apos;No alternative to full EU membership&apos;, Ukraineu2019s deputy PM tells Euronews&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/44\/94\/45\/06\/SHD_PYR_4494456_20260526174128.mp4&quot;,&quot;programId&quot;:&quot;12-minutes-with&quot;,&quot;player&quot;:&quot;dailymotion&quot;,&quot;geoBlock&quot;:[&quot;&quot;],&quot;sources&quot;:[{&quot;file&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/44\/94\/45\/06\/SHD_PYR_4494456_20260526174128.mp4&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;hd&quot;,&quot;default&quot;:true}],&quot;description&quot;:&quot;Brussels must speed up the EU accession process and full membership remains the only option, Ukraineu2019s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, tells Euronews.&quot;,&quot;isLive&quot;:false,&quot;articleUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/video\/2026\/05\/26\/no-alternative-to-full-eu-membership-ukraines-deputy-pm-tells-euronews&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:720000}\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/24\/78\/1536x864_cmsv2_13a2c9bf-d019-5d48-811a-37321b89be49-9772478.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration at Euronews studio, 26 May, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration at Euronews studio, 26 May, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Euronews<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Euronews\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspSasha Vakulina\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779815400\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-26 19:10:00 +02:00\">26\/05\/2026 &#8211; 19:10 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center 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loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-partage-commentaire-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Brussels must speed up the EU accession process and full membership remains the only option, Ukraine\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, tells Euronews.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>For Kyiv, &#8220;there are no alternatives for the fast, merit-based, but full membership in the European Union,&#8221; Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, said in an exclusive interview with Euronews.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Earlier this month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pitched the idea that Ukraine could become an &#8220;associate member&#8221; of the EU before becoming a fully-fledged member state.<\/p>\n<p>Kachka rejected the idea, calling it &#8220;unacceptable if it is an alternative to full membership.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He stated that Ukraine needs a &#8220;fast, comprehensive, normal accession process that will end with the signing of a treaty of accession under Article 49 of the Treaty of the European Union.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Everything else, he said, &#8220;doesn&#8217;t matter.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Ukraine\u2019s accession timeline<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In a renewed effort to speed up its EU accession process, Kyiv is calling on Brussels to open all of Ukraine\u2019s negotiation clusters in June this year, ahead of the previously indicated July timeline.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We believe that all six clusters can be open already in June,&#8221; Kachka told Euronews on Tuesday. &#8220;Our timeline is that we are already behind the deadline.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kachka&#8217;s remarks come after European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the first negotiation cluster could be opened in June during Cyprus\u2019 rotating EU presidency, with the remaining five to follow by July once Ireland takes over the role.<\/p>\n<p>Negotiation clusters are tied to key reform areas required to align with EU standards, ranging from the rule of law to judicial reform. <\/p>\n<p>Each set of benchmarks must be met by a candidate country, with final approval requiring unanimous agreement from all 27 EU member states.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/28\/19\/808x454_cmsv2_4e1af16b-4939-5cea-82fc-c5420a0ef68c-9772819.jpg\" alt=\"Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration at Euronews studio, 26 May, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration at Euronews studio, 26 May, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kachka insisted that Ukraine had already completed the necessary groundwork, meaning the formal opening of the accession clusters would not mark a fresh start for the country.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So everything is already done, that&#8217;s why we&#8217;re already behind schedule,&#8221; the deputy prime minister said.<\/p>\n<p>Kachka added that there is &#8220;a certain prejudice&#8221; toward Ukraine regarding the timing and circumstances of the country&#8217;s start of its EU accession process.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For Ukraine, it started like 15 years ago, or even earlier, when we negotiated the association agreement,&#8221; he said. &#8220;All the benchmarks that are already defined by the European Union are easily implemented in the forthcoming 12 to 18 months.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine\u2019s accession steps had been blocked by a Hungarian veto for a long time, which Kyiv now hopes will be lifted under the leadership of the new Hungarian prime minister, P\u00e9ter Magyar.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Hungary &#8216;will not block anything&#8217;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>After years of difficult relations, Hungary and Ukraine have started consultations on the rights of the Hungarian minority in the war-torn country, a longstanding point of contention between the two countries and a major reason behind Budapest\u2019s veto of Kyiv\u2019s EU accession bid.<\/p>\n<p>Kachka insisted that &#8220;Ukraine treats the Hungarian community in Ukraine with full respect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For us, they are an absolutely integral part of Ukrainian society, with all respect to their national identity,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have almost 100 schools for Hungarians satisfying all demands. So that means that literally every pupil, every child in Ukraine who wants to learn in Hungarian or to learn the Hungarian language while studying in Ukrainian has this possibility to do.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kachka said that Kyiv is now presenting Budapest the same offer to move forward as it previously offered to former Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n: &#8220;to fine-tune the legislation for everyone to be aware that this incredibly good atmosphere will not change.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But Budapest shouldn\u2019t wait longer to lift its veto on Ukraine\u2019s accession, Kachka suggested, explaining that &#8220;the dialogue on national minorities between Ukraine and Hungary will last permanently.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Could other countries impose vetoes?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>While the Hungarian veto on Ukraine\u2019s EU accession might be lifted sooner rather than later, there are concerns that other member states might block Kyiv\u2019s next steps.<\/p>\n<p>One of these countries could be Poland.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There is no big secret that Polish agriculture treats Ukrainian agriculture as competition,&#8221; Kachka said on Tuesday. <\/p>\n<p>He explained that Kyiv is already engaged in consultations with Warsaw, but also other capitals, about any possible sector-specific issues.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We see no intention to block the opening of the clusters, but we see the good faith will to find a solution for these sensitive and complicated topics with Poland and our neighbours and with other member states as well, but this one will be the most delicate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Zelenskyy rebuffs Merz proposal, says Ukraine deserves full EU membership<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Ukraine and Hungary move to resolve deadlock over minority rights that has stalled Kyiv\u2019s EU bid<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Magyar signals first openness to Ukraine accession talks since Orb\u00e1n\u2019s departure<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU enlargement<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  War in Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" 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class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/26\/84\/320x180_cmsv2_69e90048-10ff-5d0e-bdc0-cf14443b18fe-9772684.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Margus Tsahkna, Estonia&apos;s foreign minister.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Direct Russia talks would make EU a &#8216;neutral mediator&#8217;, Estonia warns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896788-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896788\" data-cid=\"9773302\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896788-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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(AP Photo\/Marius Burgelman)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium level crossing crash &#8216;one of the worst&#8217; in country\u2019s history<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895702-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895702\" data-cid=\"9771279\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Turkish tourists flock to Greece as rising costs put Greeks off Turkey<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895789-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895789\" data-cid=\"9769066\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Where in Europe do households save most of their income?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896462-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896462\" data-cid=\"9771735\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Two suspected Ebola cases detected in Italy test negative<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896440-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896440\" data-cid=\"9771602\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Heat pumps vs AC: Which is the best way to stay cool during heatwaves?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896661-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896661\" data-cid=\"9772683\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Four dead and two injured after train hits school bus in Belgium<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">For Kyiv, &#8220;there are no alternatives for the fast, merit-based, but full membership in the European Union,&#8221; Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, said in an exclusive interview with Euronews.Earlier this month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pitched the idea that Ukraine could become an &#8220;associate member&#8221; of the EU before becoming a fully-fledged member state.Kachka rejected the idea, calling it &#8220;unacceptable if it is an alternative to full membership.&#8221;He stated that Ukraine needs a &#8220;fast, comprehensive, normal accession process that will end with the signing of a treaty of accession under Article 49 of the Treaty of the European Union.&#8221;Everything else, he said, &#8220;doesn&#8217;t matter.&#8221;Ukraine\u2019s accession timelineIn a renewed effort to speed up its EU accession process, Kyiv is calling on Brussels to open all of Ukraine\u2019s negotiation clusters in June this year, ahead of the previously indicated July timeline.&#8221;We believe that all six clusters can be open already in June,&#8221; Kachka told Euronews on Tuesday. &#8220;Our timeline is that we are already behind the deadline.&#8221;Kachka&#8217;s remarks come after European Commissioner for Enlargement\u00a0Marta Kos said the first negotiation cluster could be opened in June\u00a0during Cyprus\u2019 rotating EU presidency, with the remaining five to follow by July once Ireland takes over the role.Negotiation clusters are tied to key reform areas required to align with EU standards, ranging from the rule of law to judicial reform.Each set of benchmarks must be met by a candidate country, with final approval requiring unanimous agreement from all 27 EU member states.Kachka insisted that Ukraine had already completed the necessary groundwork, meaning the formal opening of the accession clusters would not mark a fresh start for the country.&#8221;So everything is already done, that&#8217;s why we&#8217;re already behind schedule,&#8221; the deputy prime minister said.Kachka added that there is &#8220;a certain prejudice&#8221; toward Ukraine regarding the timing and circumstances of the country&#8217;s start of its EU accession process.&#8221;For Ukraine, it started like 15 years ago, or even earlier, when we negotiated the association agreement,&#8221; he said. &#8220;All the benchmarks that are already defined by the European Union are easily implemented in the forthcoming 12 to 18 months.&#8221;Ukraine\u2019s accession steps had been blocked by a Hungarian veto for a long time, which Kyiv now hopes will be lifted under the leadership of the new Hungarian prime minister, P\u00e9ter Magyar.Hungary &#8216;will not block anything&#8217;After years of difficult relations, Hungary and Ukraine have started consultations on the rights of the Hungarian minority in the war-torn country, a longstanding point of contention between the two countries and a major reason behind Budapest\u2019s veto of Kyiv\u2019s EU accession bid.Kachka insisted that &#8220;Ukraine treats the Hungarian community in Ukraine with full respect.&#8221;&#8221;For us, they are an absolutely integral part of Ukrainian society, with all respect to their national identity,&#8221; he said.&#8221;We have almost 100 schools for Hungarians satisfying all demands. So that means that literally every pupil, every child in Ukraine who wants to learn in Hungarian or to learn the Hungarian language while studying in Ukrainian has this possibility to do.&#8221;Kachka said that Kyiv is now presenting Budapest the same offer to move forward as it previously offered to former Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n: &#8220;to fine-tune the legislation for everyone to be aware that this incredibly good atmosphere will not change.&#8221;But Budapest shouldn\u2019t wait longer to lift its veto on Ukraine\u2019s accession, Kachka suggested, explaining that &#8220;the dialogue on national minorities between Ukraine and Hungary will last permanently.&#8221;Could other countries impose vetoes?While the Hungarian veto on Ukraine\u2019s EU accession might be lifted sooner rather than later, there are concerns that other member states might block Kyiv\u2019s next steps.One of these countries could be Poland.&#8221;There is no big secret that Polish agriculture treats Ukrainian agriculture as competition,&#8221; Kachka said on Tuesday.He explained that Kyiv is already engaged in consultations with Warsaw, but also other capitals, about any possible sector-specific issues.&#8221;We see no intention to block the opening of the clusters, but we see the good faith will to find a solution for these sensitive and complicated topics with Poland and our neighbours and with other member states as well, but this one will be the most delicate.&#8221;<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/26\/no-alternative-to-full-eu-membership-ukraines-deputy-pm-tells-euronews&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/24\/78\/1200x675_cmsv2_13a2c9bf-d019-5d48-811a-37321b89be49-9772478.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Mobilising private capital to scale digital infrastructure in Asia Europe News Belgium level crossing crash &#8216;one of the worst&#8217; in country\u2019s history Culture news Six arrested over ticket touting for Bad Bunny in Lisbon Health news EU and UNICEF send 100 tonnes of aid to DR Congo amid Ebola outbreak [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1956487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1956487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1956487"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1956487\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1956487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1956487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1956487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}