Ukraine accession to EU cannot happen quickly but in interest of Europe – Merz

Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz has called on Ukraine to continue reforms, noting that they will pay off and each is a step toward European integration, which is in the interest of the European Union itself.

"Ukraine's accession to the EU. We support this goal. We understand that this cannot happen quickly and in full measure, but Ukraine's accession to the EU will become a strategically important step for greater security and prosperity of Europe. Therefore, I call on Ukraine to intensively continue reforms in the country in the areas of overcoming corruption and the rule of law. Because these efforts will pay for themselves. Every success of this reform is a step toward Europe, and it is in the interest of Europe," Merz said at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on Tuesday.

Later he added that this is not about some limited membership or "second-class membership," and in the future Ukraine must certainly become a member of the EU, but for this, not only the Ukrainian but also the European side must carry out significant work.

"Regardless of all timelines, in the end Ukraine must be closely linked to the European Union and people must know – their future, if they want it, is Europe. And we want to pave the way to this. We know there are still tasks to be fulfilled on both sides, but if we are serious about this, if we want to have a common space of security and freedom, then Ukraine, as one of the largest countries in Europe, must inevitably be a member of the EU in the long term. How we will achieve this goal, we are negotiating about it, but regarding the goal itself, our government has no doubt," Merz said, answering journalists' questions.