German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared on Wednesday that According to him, Ukraine will not join the European Union in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s ambition to take this step already in 2027 was described by Merz as unrealistic. This was pointed out by the DPA agency, writes TASR.
- German Chancellor Merz does not consider Ukraine’s entry into the EU in 2027 to be realistic.
- Merz emphasized that Ukraine must first meet the Copenhagen criteria.
- President Zelensky insists on Ukraine’s target entry into the EU in 2027.
- Merz supports Ukraine’s gradual approach to the European Union.
- German Minister Wadephul talks about a fair chance for Ukraine without a specific date.
“(Ukraine’s) entry into the EU on January 1, 2027 is out of the question. It is not possible,” Merz said after talks with his coalition partners in Berlin. Every country that wants to join the EU it must first meet the Copenhagen criteria, a process that usually takes several years, remarked the chancellor.
However, he emphasized that Ukraine needs a perspective that will open its way to the EU in the future. “We can gradually bring Ukraine closer to the European Union… This is always possible, but such a quick entry is simply not feasible,” declared Merz.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has already expressed his demand for EU membership in 2027, despite the skepticism of European states. “Ukraine’s accession to the EU is one of the key guarantees not only for us, but also for Europe,” wrote the Ukrainian head of state on the X platform on Tuesday. “(Ensuring) European collective power is possible mainly thanks to Ukraine’s security, technological and economic contributions,” added Zelenskyi.
Merz’s comments came shortly after how German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that Ukraine deserves a fair chance to join the EU, but he did not comment on a more precise date.
