Overview
- Merz, speaking Monday to students in Marsberg, said a future peace deal with Russia could leave parts of Ukraine outside Kyiv's control.
- He said President Volodymyr Zelensky should seek a referendum to approve any concessions and tie that choice to a path into the European Union.
- Merz added that entry by 2027 or 2028 is unrealistic because Ukraine cannot join during a war and must meet strict rule‑of‑law and anti‑corruption tests.
- He proposed interim observer seats for Ukraine in EU bodies, saying this idea drew broad support at last week’s leaders’ meeting in Cyprus.
- EU leaders approved a €90 billion loan to support Ukraine through 2027, and Viktor Orban’s election loss removed a key brake on accession steps.