He said this „European political community“ would be open to democratic European nations adhering to its core values in areas such as political cooperation, security, cooperation in energy, transport, investment of infrastructure or circulation of people.

„Joining it would not necessarily prejudge future EU membership,“ he said. „Nor would it be closed to those who left it.“

In a speech to the EU‘s parliament in Strasbourg, he instead suggested Ukraine could join a „parallel European community“ while it awaited a decision.

This would allow non-EU members to join Europe‘s security architecture in other ways, said President Macron.