Anastasia Ryabokon17:21, 27.04.26

The price of a peace agreement and accession to the European Union for Ukraine may be the refusal to attempt to de-occupy its territories.

Ukraine will likely have to accept that part of its territory may remain outside Kyiv’s control as part of a future peace deal with Russia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has linked such concessions to Ukraine’s prospects for joining the European Union.

“At some point, Ukraine will sign a ceasefire agreement; at some point, hopefully, there will be a peace treaty with Russia. Then, perhaps, part of Ukraine’s territory will cease to be Ukrainian,” Merz was quoted as saying by Reuters .

According to Merz, if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to inform Ukrainians about this and enlist the support of the majority, then a referendum should be held on this issue. “He should simultaneously tell the people: ‘I have opened the way to Europe for you,'” the German Chancellor suggested.

At the same time, Merz warned Ukrainians against having high hopes for a quick accession to the EU. He said that Ukraine cannot join the bloc while the war is ongoing. He also believes that Ukraine needs to meet “strict criteria, including those related to the rule of law and the fight against corruption.”

“Zelensky had the idea of ​​joining the EU on January 1, 2027. It won’t work. Even January 1, 2028 is unrealistic,” Merz said.

He proposed interim steps, such as an observer role for Ukraine in EU institutions. He said this was endorsed by many European leaders at a summit in Cyprus last week. Volodymyr Zelensky was among those invited to the summit.

(C)UNIAN 2026