Status denied to Ukraine proposed for Canada – Controversy erupts

A dispute over the status of the European Union’s future relationship with Canada has heightened tensions between Brussels and Berlin.

TodayPress TV reports that “Politico” published the information, citing several diplomats.

According to the report, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s description of Canada as an “associate member” of the EU has angered German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Tensions escalated further after von der Leyen used the term at a summit in Montreal. Just hours earlier, at Germany’s initiative, a proposal had been made to remove the same wording from a joint statement agreed upon by all 27 EU member states.

It should be noted that Merz had previously proposed granting Ukraine “associate member” status in the EU. However, the idea was rejected, including by Kyiv.

According to Politico, German officials view von der Leyen’s use of the same term in reference to Canada as a message directed against the German chancellor’s initiative.

The disagreement highlights growing differences between Merz and von der Leyen over the governance of the European Union.

Kubra Musayeva