German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested on Monday (April 27) that Ukraine may have to accept that parts of its territory could remain outside Kyiv's control in a future peace deal with Russia, linking such concessions to the country's prospects for joining the European Union.

"At some point, Ukraine will sign a ceasefire agreement; at some point, hopefully, a peace treaty with Russia. Then it may be that part of Ukraine's territory is no longer Ukrainian," Merz told students at the Carolus-Magnus-Gymnasium in Marsberg, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia.

"If President (Volodymyr) Zelenskiy wants to communicate this to his own population and gain a majority for it, and he needs to hold a referendum on it, then he must at the same time tell the people: 'But I have opened the way to Europe for you'," Merz added.

Kyiv's EU accession progress had been blocked by Hungary's nationalist Premier Viktor Orban, but his defeat in elections earlier this month raised hopes it can move to the next step. Ukraine currently has the status of an official EU candidate.

Merz cautioned against raising hopes for rapid accession, however, saying Ukraine cannot join the bloc while at war and must first meet strict criteria including those regarding the rule of law and on fighting corruption.

"Zelenskiy had the idea of joining the EU on January 1, 2027. That will not work. Even January 1, 2028 is not realistic," Merz said.

He proposed intermediate steps such as observer roles for Ukraine in EU institutions, which he said met broad approval among European leaders at their summit last week in Cyprus, which Zelenskiy attended.

The European Union last week approved a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine, covering most of its needs through 2027, but the bloc remains divided over the pace of accession talks.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Merz suggests Ukraine may have to accept territorial loss to help pave way for EU membership

VIDEO SHOWS: GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ TALKING TO STUDENTS IN HIS CONSTITUENCY ABOUT UKRAINE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: MARSBERG, GERMANY (APRIL 27, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ ARRIVING TO SPEAK TO STUDENTS IN HIS CONSTITUENCY

2. STUDENTS WITH EU FLAGS

3. MERZ ON STAGE, TAKING SEAT

4. STUDENTS LISTENING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ, SAYING:

"At the moment I am trying to come up with some suggestions as to how we could bring Ukraine closer to the EU in a step-by-step process. We want to give Ukrainians - who after all number 35 million - a perspective that they belong. Ukraine feels like a European country. It is a European country and that is why we have to remain open to new members. The EU must not be allowed to become an exclusive club."

6. STUDENTS LISTENING

7. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ, SAYING:

"Ukraine must have an EU perspective, we must not lose Ukraine to Russia, even as a feeling. We have to tell the people in Ukraine that they have a future in Europe. The membership process can take a very long time. President Zelenskiy had the idea to join the EU by January 1, 2027. This is not going to happen and January 1, 2028 is not realistic either."

8. MERZ ON STAGE

9. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ, SAYING:

"I also told Zelenskiy to be careful not to get people's hopes up too much that could be crushed again. At one point Ukraine will sign a ceasefire and at one point there will hopefully be a peace deal with Russia. Then it may be that part of Ukraine's territory is no longer Ukrainian. If he wants to communicate this to his own population and gain a majority for it, and he needs to hold a referendum on it, then he must at the same time tell the people: 'But I have opened the way to Europe for you'. And this has to be plausibly answered by us. We cannot then say: 'yes at some point you will be allowed to come in.' Rather, we have to be able to tell Ukraine that there is a concrete plan in place as to how they get into the EU. And then plausible first steps must be presented that are irreversible and lead to full EU membership. It will take a long time but we have to get going. Every journey that is taken begins with the first step."

10. MERZ ON STAGE