France proposes a phased integration for Ukraine, offering interim status and deeper policy ties. Paris warns full EU membership demands uncompromising reforms.<\/p>\n
France supports the gradual rapprochement of Ukraine with the EU even before full membership, but there can be no shortcuts to full EU membership.<\/p>\n
According to the Minister Delegate for Europe, Benjamin Haddad, in an interview with Le Figaro, France\u2019s position aligns with President Emmanuel Macron\u2019s proposal for a \u201csymbolic entry of Ukraine\u201d into the EU.<\/p>\n
Position on the gradual pace of rapprochement<\/p>\n
For Ukraine, as for Moldova and the Western Balkan countries, European Union integration is a long process that requires reforms, including fighting corruption, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary. There can be no compromises on EU values and legislation. But the rapprochement of these countries with the EU is also a geopolitical necessity<\/p>\n
\u2013 Haddad<\/p>\n
According to Haddad, one possible option is a more gradual format toward membership: with an intermediate status and deeper integration into EU policies. At the same time, full membership implies full compliance with the requirements.<\/p>\n
One of the solutions is to propose a more gradual rapprochement toward accession, with an intermediate status and strengthened integration into EU policies. But to be a full member, to have access to everything, we must tell the truth: there is no shortcut. Countries must reform. And the Union itself must reform and become more flexible<\/p>\n
\u2013 Haddad<\/p>\n
In Haddad\u2019s view, France will play a leading role in the EU\u2019s efforts to assist Ukraine: notably, France created the Coalition of the Willing to provide security guarantees and coordinate our support. France is the driving force behind Europe\u2019s strategic awakening.<\/p>\n
He also stressed that Russia will remain a constant threat to the European security architecture, so resilience is a key factor for Europe.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Haddad<\/p>\n
The war is not over, and our resilience is key. Even after a possible ceasefire, Russia will remain a constant threat to the European security architecture. But in the end, what is Putin\u2019s defeat, who hoped to take Kyiv in a matter of weeks! Ukrainians are standing up to this bravely, resolutely returning to Europe, and Europeans remain united. But before drawing any conclusions, we must stand firm<\/p>\n
\u2013 Haddad<\/p>\n
\u201cBut four years on, Europe still supports Ukraine,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
According to Haddad, France will play a leading role in the EU\u2019s aid efforts: notably, France created the Coalition of the Willing to ensure security guarantees and coordinate our support. France is the driving force behind Europe\u2019s strategic awakening<\/p>\n
\u2013 Haddad<\/p>\n
Concluding the conversation, the minister emphasized that Russia remains a constant threat to the European security architecture, and Europe needs resilience and unity to continue supporting Ukraine on its path to full EU membership without shortcuts.<\/p>\n
Summary of France\u2019s positions on Ukraine\u2019s prospects in the EU<\/p>\n
France\u2019s position reflects a push for gradual rapprochement with the EU without a \u201cshortcut\u201d path, while emphasizing the need for reforms and preservation of the Union\u2019s values. According to Haddad, France\u2019s role in this effort is central: from security initiatives to coordinating support for Ukraine. In the context of preserving EU unity and resilience against external threats, France is seen as one of the driving forces of a new stage of European integration, where both political and geopolitical challenges of the future are openly discussed.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, after a long road to full EU membership, Ukraine must continue reforming, pursuing integration opportunities while adhering to the Union\u2019s high standards. France\u2019s role in this process remains significant, and preserving unity and resilience in Europe is the key to continued support for Ukraine on its path to EU membership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"France proposes a phased integration for Ukraine, offering interim status and deeper policy ties. Paris warns full EU…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11234,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[8658,8659,5,8660,8661,8662,6],"class_list":["post-11233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-france","tag-coalition-of-the-willing","tag-eu-membership-reforms","tag-france","tag-france-ukraine-eu","tag-gradual-integration","tag-interim-eu-status","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11233"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11233\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}