German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asserted that Ukraine must retain the ultimate authority in determining its representation and the supporting parties involved in any peace negotiations. Merz emphasized that as the directly affected country, Ukraine holds the final say regarding who supports it and who conducts the negotiations on its behalf. He clarified that the European Union does not function as a neutral mediator in the conflict, but rather as a supporter of Ukraine.
According to Merz, the EU is not a neutral third party or a mediator; instead, it is positioned on Ukraine’s side. Consequently, he stated that Ukraine itself must decide who will negotiate for it and with it. Regarding Ukraine’s path toward European integration, Merz addressed the possibility of immediate full EU membership for a nation at war.
He stated that while the state of Ukraine cannot become a full member of the European Union while it is engaged in conflict, it can pursue the status of an associate member with a pathway to eventual full membership. Merz concluded by noting that Ukraine has already initiated negotiations concerning EU membership, marking the opening of that initial phase. These comments highlight the Ukrainian government’s continued control over its international diplomatic strategy and integration timeline.
Topics: #ukraine #merz #country
