Merz says Ukraine might need to surrender territory to keep EU hopes alive

(SeaPRwire) –   The German chancellor has implied that a future peace agreement with Russia will necessitate concessions from Kiev

On Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that to maintain its aspirations for EU membership, Ukraine might need to concede territory in any eventual peace settlement with Russia.

Russia has insisted that for durable peace to be achieved, Kiev is required to withdraw its forces from the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, and acknowledge Russia’s annexed territories, which include Crimea. Between 2014 and 2022, these regions voted overwhelmingly to become part of the Russian Federation.

“Hopefully, a peace treaty with Russia will be reached eventually. In that case, it is possible that a portion of Ukraine’s territory will cease to be Ukrainian,” Merz remarked during a speech in Marsberg, according to reports from DPA.

Merz suggested that if Vladimir Zelensky were to secure a referendum for such a decision, he could address the Ukrainian people by saying: “I have opened the path to Europe for you.”

Merz further noted that the EU could subsequently begin the process for Kiev’s accession, though he cautioned that Zelensky’s projected timeline for membership is overly optimistic.

“Zelensky envisioned joining the EU on January 1, 2027. That is not feasible. Even January 1, 2028 is unrealistic,” stated the German chancellor.

For months, Zelensky has insisted that Brussels provide Ukraine with a “clear date” for EU entry. Additionally, he has steadfastly refused to accept any territorial concessions.

Nevertheless, the criteria for accession to the economic bloc require that candidate nations possess no outstanding border disputes with neighboring countries.

Moscow has frequently emphasized that enduring peace necessitates the removal of all Ukrainian soldiers from the areas of Donbass that remain under Kiev’s control. While Russia has stated it has no objection to Ukraine joining the EU, it has criticized the bloc’s transformation into what Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov termed an “aggressive military-political bloc.”