While the negotiating table still seems like a distant option in the nearly 19-month-long war in Ukraine, the 27-member European Union (EU) has been calling for 'urgent reforms'.A report by a group of academics commissioned by France and Germany has called on the union's members to implement a series of reforms to be ready to accept new members like Ukraine by 2030. France and Germany foresees that the number of members of the Union could increase from 27 to 36.

DIFFERENT DEGREES OF MEMBERSHIP SYSTEM

The report, prepared by a 12-member working group of academics and lawyers tasked with working on the Europe of the future, proposes the creation of an 'inner circle' of countries with deep integration in areas such as the Eurozone and the Schengen area, and offering different degrees of membership to other countries.

In this context, the ring outside the 'inner circle' would consist of 'associate members' participating in the market. This would include countries such as Norway, which has access to the trade bloc. The last ring would include countries such as the UK, paving the way for a closer economic relationship.

A BOMB DROPPED ON THE BRITISH AGENDA: OLIVE BRANCH OR DESPERATION?

Germany and France's proposal to offer 'associate membership' to the UK and other European countries has been the talk of the British press today.

While some newspapers described the new 'membership with an external layer' offer as an 'olive branch', Brexiteers interpreted it as 'desperation of the European Union'. Under the joint membership plans, the UK is expected to contribute to the EU's annual budget in exchange for market accession.