[91313] German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: Ukraine will not join the European Union during wartime

Germany proposes an alternative roadmap for Ukraine's EU membership

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clarified today, June 20, 2026, that Ukraine will not be able to become a full member of the European Union as long as it is in a state of active war. According to reports from Цензор.НЕТ and UA Stream, this position reflects current German policy regarding EU enlargement.

As part of his statements, Merz proposed an interim roadmap: "Ukraine cannot become a full member of the European Union, but it can become an associate member, and later — a full member," as quoted in Цензор.НЕТ. The Chancellor emphasized that no further changes to the EU treaty are expected and that the accession process for Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries requires close coordination.

Цензор.НЕТ adds that the issue of accession remains at the top of the European agenda, but is subject to the complex security reality. These sources, which are identified with a clear pro-Ukrainian line, present Merz's words as part of the complex diplomatic discourse on the future of the European structure in the face of Russian aggression.