German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed doubts about Ukraine's accession to the European Union before the end of the current EU medium -term budget period.
According to the German politician, it is a priority today to end the war, not to discuss specific terms of European integration. Merz stressed that the issue of reconstruction of Ukraine after the war will also remain a long process, which will probably not fit into the budget cycle of the EU for 2028–2034. “For us today is absolute priority - to do everything possible to end this war. After that, we will talk about Ukraine's rebuilding ... But it will take years. It is likely that he will not even affect the current medium -term financial prospect of the European Union, ”Merz said. He also stressed that as long as Ukraine is under armed aggression, its accession to the European Union is impossible. Thus, as the chancellor points out, the integration process is directly related to the termination of hostilities and stabilizing the situation in the country.
Friedrich Merz's words are heard against the background of a pan-European discussion on the expansion of the EU and reforms that should accompany the potential introduction of new Member States, in particular the countries that have undergone significant destruction as a result of the war.
