Ukraine is unlikely to join the EU before 2034, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said after a meeting with Romanian President Nicusor Dan in Berlin.
He said “accession is unlikely to take place at a stage that would affect the bloc’s medium-term financial plans until 2034.”
“it is an absolute priority for us, above all, to do everything possible to end this war,” Merz emphasised.
The chancellor emphasised that Ukraine’s reconstruction will last several years.
“then we will talk about Ukraine’s reconstruction… but it will take several years… It probably won’t even affect the current medium-term financial prospects of the EU,” the chancellor said.
Earlier, European Parliament President Roberta Metzola backed the start of talks with Ukraine, pointing to the importance of continued strong support for Ukraine, including future membership.
Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership, in particular the opening of the first “basics” negotiating cluster, has been blocked by Hungary. The EU leaders’ summit on 26 June did not change this situation.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had previously complained about Ukraine for what he saw as insufficient protection of national minorities, particularly Hungarian minorities, now explains this by the fact that the country is at war.