German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke in favor of closer involvement of Ukraine in the processes of the European Union's activities, while emphasizing that quick membership of the country in the bloc is impossible. He stated this on Friday, April 24, after the EU summit of heads of state and government in Nicosia, reports UNN citing Deutsche Welle.
Details
According to Merz, "it is clear to everyone that Ukraine's immediate accession to the EU is, of course, impossible." At the same time, he emphasized that he seeks to ensure closer integration of Ukraine into European institutions.
As an example of such interaction, the chancellor cited the possible participation of the President of Ukraine in meetings of the European Council, but so far without the right to vote, or through the gradual inclusion of Ukraine in certain policy areas depending on the state of reforms
– as stated in the article.
It is noted that overall Merz pointed to the need to launch in the European Union "a process with a strategy of gradual rapprochement of Ukraine with the EU, at the end of which, of course, full membership should stand".
"But we need intermediate steps. I have spoken about this multiple times in recent days with President Zelenskyy. … It is important that this rapprochement now also accelerates accession negotiations and becomes a bridge to future full membership", – emphasized the German Chancellor.
Context
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv "does not need symbolic membership in the EU." According to him, "Ukraine is defending Europe not symbolically, but people are dying for real".
On the eve, during the summit of heads of state and government of the EU in Nicosia, Zelenskyy called to proceed already in May to unblocking negotiation clusters for Ukraine's accession to the bloc.
Ukraine's EU membership will not be "second-class"; Kyiv must meet accession criteria – Merz14.04.26, 17:15 • 12888 views
