> "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, on Monday.
> "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: 'I have opened the way to Europe for you'," Merz added.
Look I'll stand right beside you If it comes to dunking on Merz but I don't see how he explicitly links territorial concessions to EU membership like the title suggests. Reading the original statement in german he talks about territorial concessions being a hard sell in Ukraine anyway, but it could sound sweeter to Ukrainians when EU membership is on the table, as if to rally support for Ukraine EU membership now that Orban is out.
Tldr don't read the title only
34
No-Substance-215423 hr ago
+6
The sad truth is that Ukraine probably won't get its territories currently occupied by Russia back. But it's insanely stupid to speak it out loud since it weakens their bargaining position.
6
not_just_putin1 day ago
+29
Sure, how much land Germany is willing to sacrifice?
29
lou1uol1 day ago
+16
Why would that be their choice? Thats Ukraines choice
16
henry_why4161 day ago
+10
To enter the EU is absolutely Germany’s choice.
10
Possible-Fudge-22171 day ago
None and it is not our responsibility to talk about it. Merz is just not very intelligent and is giving multiple inches to the right wing.
0
Suguha_chan1 day ago
-10
If I was forced to fight to death in my country, I would prefer to give up some territory and survive. Its easy for politicabs to say „its our country, no one would want to give up parts of their country, so we fight“ because they dont have to participate in the deadly war themselfes.
-10
Red_black_flag_071 day ago
+8
When you live in a country at war and give advice. For now, deflate your ball.
8
Suguha_chan23 hr ago
-3
That doesnt make sense. Thats what you usally say to someone saying „people who flee from their country instead of defending it are cowards, I would fight on the front if that was my country“.
I never said that I would be brave and risk my live just for a few geographical places. I would not want to risk my life, I would flee to safer place because surviving is more important than keeping more territory.
-3
Red_black_flag_0722 hr ago
+1
This is empty chatter. Ukraine will not give up any additional territory. You can relax.
1
SuperRektT19 hr ago
+2
You are simply a terrible delusional. After decades under Russian influence, you want to give out the most fortified territories so Russia comes back stronger in a couple of years because there won't be any security guarantees.
Looks like a good idea from your "X" country.
2
4baobao1 day ago
-17
Ukraine can just stay out of EU, not an issue for us
-17
biscuitarse1 day ago
+6
Would you rather have Ukraine on your side or Russia's side when Putin comes to get you?
6
Suguha_chan10 hr ago
+1
I want ukraine and russia to join NATO
1
4baobao1 day ago
-9
he's not coming to get me so I don't care, Ukraine and their supporters should be more grateful to the countries helping them instead of acting arrogant
-9
biscuitarse1 day ago
+9
I highly doubt anyone would want you. So there's that.
9
lou1uol1 day ago
+10
Putin would never agree to that. Putin wants Ukraine fully, not partially.
10
Heavy_Secret_2031 day ago
+4
That's true. European leaders neither take part in negotiations, nor they understand the reasons behind the war.
4
Healthy-Amoeba229621 hr ago
+1
The reason is left over soviet attitude. Soviet religion says all countries will be invaded, just a question of time. Not one human will be permitted to escape.
1
Losbudenmann1 day ago
+17
Let the russian fuckfaces bleed out. On the battlefield and economically. That stupid egghead chancellor needs to shut up...
17
No_Conversation_93251 day ago
+13
Why? And why is Merz so reluctant to have the country with the first army in the world join EU?
13
Sweet_Concept221122 hr ago
+3
Having a big and active army is not as attractive to the EU as having a functioning country with no ongoing conflicts, low levels of corruption and economic potential.
I believe Ukraine can be an exemplary EU member in time, but because of its people - not just its army.
3
No_Conversation_932517 hr ago
They are not more corrupt that Germany ffs
0
Sweet_Concept221117 hr ago
+1
Uh, yeah, they most definitely f****** are.
1
One-Present-78731 day ago
-1
Countries that refuse to end the war cannot join the European Union.
-1
No_Conversation_93251 day ago
+5
Russia is out of question to join
5
Red_black_flag_071 day ago
+5
Ukraine cannot end the war.
5
Dull-Composer-21751 day ago
-6
Pretty sure they just repeat what daddy trump told them.
-6
mangalore-x_x1 day ago
+4
I don't like Merz but he is not saying anything uncontroversial.
He essentially says if a peace deal contains loss of territory Ukraine will hold a referendum, then it may be worthwhile if Zelensky can tie it to solving all open territorial disputes and be able to move Ukraine into the EU and he should sell it like that.
It is not some policy demand since he was asked that at some forum at some school.
How it really plays out and if any such things are palatable to Ukraine, Ukraine needs to decide and is pretty hypothetical as there is not even a ceasefire let alone a peace treaty.
To me all of that is pretty much yes that is how it works. It is also a fact that entry into any international treaty organization is either impossible or a very hard sell if you come with an open war front that may pull your new ally into your old war so for Ukraine to get into the EU and not get vetoed by someone having a peace deal and no contested territory is kind of a big thing to have.
4
Red_black_flag_071 day ago
+2
Merz proposes fulfilling a clearly impossible condition (which, if fulfilled, won't stop the war, but rather escalate it) in order to create an insurmountable obstacle to entry. There's nothing new here.
2
SPQR-Tightanus22 hr ago
+2
Wrong, Merz.
If something like this will happen, it will happen not to "pave the way", but in the very end of the way.
There is simply no point to accept anything before that.
2
SuperRektT19 hr ago
+2
How fast is the rethoric changing with EU leaders
2
Appropriate-Talk-7351 day ago
+4
Right now it looks more like Ruzzia have to accept territorial losses, mostly to China.
4
SigmaHouse2817 hr ago
+1
Don't listen to Merz.
1
JohnSane14 hr ago
+1
MERZ LECK EIER!
1
RCFProd1 day ago
+2
Are people down voting this post because they disagree with Merz on his matter
That's not how the voting system works
2
Common-Concentrate-21 day ago
+1
I’d imagine whatever areas Ukraine agrees to hand over are going to be the most miserable places to live, at least in the immediate future. Crimea at least had the “appearance” of being ceded electorally. I know id be bitter for the rest of my life as Ukrainian - whether I’m on he Ukrainian side still , or if my home was subsumed into Russia. That alone makes me doubt territorial exchanges like this are worthwhile…if it’s just some arbitrary geographical border, Id want to park my car on the Ukrainian side, and seethe every day. I guess that’s why I’m not a diplomat or negotiating peace treaties
1
CharmingWin58371 day ago
+1
One day ukrainians will lose all respect for EU. Or, in the worst case, even support russian claims there.
1
SuperRektT19 hr ago
+1
Surely
1
[deleted]1 day ago
-2
[deleted]
-2
Rocketronic01 day ago
-13
Likely the only way the conflict can get resolved. EU membership for Ukraine is a stretch
-13
xondk1 day ago
+4
How? Putin does not care about his loses, so if he can just throw people at something until he gets what he wants, what will prevent him from doing it again?
4
One-Present-78731 day ago
Countries that refuse to end the war cannot join the European Union.
0
xondk1 day ago
+3
I'm not sure what you are replying to from what i wrote?
44 Comments