German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that a rapid accession of Ukraine to the European Union by 2027 is impossible.
The Ukrainian Review reported this, citing NW.
Merz commented on Kyiv’s planned EU membership date after consultations with SPD and CDU/CSU leaders in Berlin. He called the plan ‘impossible’:
“Ukraine cannot join the EU on January 1, 2027. That is impossible,” the chancellor said.
Copenhagen Criteria and the Long-Term Process
Merz explained that every country seeking EU membership must meet the Copenhagen criteria, and the process usually takes several years.
“We can gradually bring Ukraine closer to the European Union. We can always do that, but we cannot make such a rapid accession work,” the chancellor added.
Importance of the Perspective for Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadelful emphasized that Ukraine’s EU perspective is critically important for future peace settlement and the security architecture in Europe.
Wadelful also noted that there can be no shortcuts for Kyiv in the accession process — it must remain complete and transparent.
Ukraine’s Position and Other Leaders
Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that an accelerated EU accession for Ukraine from January 1, 2027, is reportedly one of the key points in the peace plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that Kyiv is technically ready to open all negotiation clusters on EU accession in the first half of 2026. He also noted that full membership in 2027 is considered part of future security guarantees.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confirmed that at the informal EU summit, leaders were presented with a confidential European Commission document foreseeing Ukraine’s membership by 2027, while pledging to block its accession for 100 years.
Read also The Ukrainian Review analysis on potential scenarios for Ukraine’s EU accession and what to expect. Under the most optimistic scenario, Ukraine could join the European Union by 2030.
