Future German Chancellor warns against rushing Ukraine's NATO bid
Friedrich Merz, poised to become the next Chancellor of Germany, stresses that Ukraine can join the EU and NATO only once the war has concluded. He also cautioned against "underestimating Russia's resilience."
What do you need to know?
- Ukraine can join the EU and NATO only once the war has ended – Friedrich Merz highlighted in an interview with "Handelsblatt."
- Merz cautions against underestimating Russia - noting that Russian politics often involves the brutal exploitation of people.
- There is no hope for a swift end to the war - Merz does not believe that Russia will unilaterally cease the conflict with Ukraine.
What are Ukraine's prospects for EU and NATO membership?
Friedrich Merz, the soon-to-be Chancellor of Germany, discussed Ukraine's potential membership in the European Union and NATO in a conversation with Handelsblatt.
- Ukraine is a very large European country, but it is a European country that is at war. A country that is at war cannot become a member of NATO or the European Union - Merz remarked.
He simultaneously assured that Ukraine does have the prospect of joining the European Union and NATO. However, he reiterated: "But for both of these to happen, the war must end first."
Will Russia end the war in Ukraine?
Merz warns against underestimating Russia's resilience, emphasising that the cruel exploitation of people has always been a part of Russian politics.
Germany’s future Chancellor is also not optimistic about Russia's war in Ukraine coming to a natural conclusion, because the country will be utterly depleted, or there will be internal political pressure against the regime.
