Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected proposals for "symbolic" or partial EU membership and said Ukraine deserved full membership, Radio NV reported on April 23. He arrived at the EU summit in Cyprus in person despite initially being scheduled to participate via a video link.

France and Germany have reportedly explored proposals to grant Ukraine partial integration, including participation in EU meetings without full rights, as an interim step in the accession process. The debate comes as the European Union recently unblocked 90 billion euros ($105 billion) in loans for Ukraine and renewed discussions on enlargement following reduced obstruction from Hungary, though structural and political barriers to full membership remain.