Source: "European Truth" citing dpa
Details: Jean-Claude Juncker, who led the European Commission from 2014 to 2019, proposed the idea of "partial membership" for Ukraine in the EU. This format would allow Ukraine to participate in some internal processes and meetings within the European Union, but without voting rights.
Juncker's direct quote: "Ukraine will not be able to join the EU very quickly... There are still many unresolved issues in Ukraine, from corruption to the rule of law, that need to be addressed before serious discussions about Ukraine's membership can take place."
More details: In his view, such a "partial membership" format would serve as a signal of recognition from European partners regarding Ukraine's efforts towards European integration.
What preceded this: A similar statement was made by Juncker a year ago, where the former head of the European Commission stated that European partners should not give Ukrainians "false promises" about quick accession to the EU, and that the country is not yet ready for membership, particularly due to "corruption at all levels of society."