Euronews, citing diplomats, reported that the idea was discussed during an informal dinner in Brussels involving EU ambassadors and representatives of the European Commission, and that several participants rejected the concept. The proposal would make Ukraine a formal member of the European Union first, while phasing in key rights and benefits — including voting powers and access to major EU funding programs — over time. Ukraine’s EU accession has increasingly been discussed as a potential pillar of long‑term security in the context of a future peace settlement with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv will soon complete the technical work needed to advance EU accession talks and that a clear timeline for membership would serve as an important security guarantee as negotiations with Moscow continue.