Macro's proposal: Create new political organisation for non-EU member states

During his speech in Strasbourg on Europe Day, Macron said that “all of us know very well that the process for membership [of Ukraine] will take several years, in fact perhaps several decades”.

Those comments he made after European Commission President Urusla von der Leyeen said she plans to give an opinion on Ukraine's bid to join the bloc in June.

Once the candidate state status is granted, the EU membership process usually takes a few years, as the unanimous decision of all member states is required, but even aspiring states must complete all membership negotiating chapters.

After Russia began invading Ukraine, EU leaders have said they will try to speed up Ukraine's process and membership in the bloc.

So far, Ukraine has only the Association Agreement with the EU, which teaches it to open state markets and bring it closer to Europe.

However, Macron said an accelerated procedure for Ukraine would lead to lowering standards, ideas he opposes.

The European Union, given the level of integration and ambition, cannot be the only way to structure the European continent in short term”, he said.

Instead, Macron proposed what he called the “European Political Community”, which may be open to non-joined states, like the United Kingdom, which has left the bloc.

This new European organisation will enable all European states, which adhere to our core values, to find a new space for political co-operation, security, energy co-operation, in the field of transport, investment, infrastructure and movement of people”, Macron said.

The French president added that membership in this new organisation, however, would not guarantee a future EU membership.