Merz rules out fast-track Ukraine EU membership, suggests observer role
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Friday that Ukraine's immediate accession to the European Union is not possible, but proposed Kyiv could attend EU meetings without voting rights. Ukraine is seeking to accelerate its membership bid amid its war with Russia. Progress has been blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, though his recent electoral defeat has raised hopes. EU leaders generally support opening the first negotiating clusters with Ukraine, but there is reluctance to fast-track full membership. Merz spoke after an EU summit in Cyprus attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Key facts
- Friedrich Merz said Ukraine's immediate EU accession is not possible
- Merz suggested Ukraine could join EU meetings without voting rights
- Ukraine is pushing to speed up its EU membership bid
- Hungary's Viktor Orban had blocked Ukraine's progress
- Orban's electoral defeat raised hopes for Ukraine's EU bid
- EU leaders broadly support opening first negotiating clusters with Ukraine
- Merz spoke after an EU summit in Cyprus
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit
Entities
Institutions
- European Union
- Germany
- Ukraine
- Hungary
Locations
- Germany
- Ukraine
- Kyiv
- Hungary
- Cyprus