German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Ukraine may have to reconcile with some territories remaining outside Kyiv's control in the future as part of a possible peace agreement with Russia. According to Reuters, Merz said this during a meeting with students in Marsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia.
The editorial office reports that Merz stated Ukraine might someday sign a ceasefire agreement, followed by a peace treaty with Russia. According to him, at such a stage, the possibility could arise that “a part of Ukrainian territory no longer belongs to Ukraine.”
The Chancellor linked this possible concession to Ukraine's prospect of European Union membership. He stated that if President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to explain this to his people and gain majority support, he could hold a referendum. According to Merz, Zelenskyy would then have to tell Ukrainians that he “opened the way to Europe.”
At the same time, the German Chancellor emphasized that he does not consider expectations for Ukraine's rapid EU membership to be realistic. He said that Ukraine cannot join the bloc as long as the war continues and must first meet strict criteria such as the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
Merz noted that Ukraine's membership in the EU on January 1, 2027, is not possible, and even early 2028 does not seem realistic. Instead, he suggested granting Ukraine interim stages, such as observer status in EU institutions.