European leaders criticized Donald Trump for pushing Ukraine toward territorial concessions to Russia.
I was going to post a separate article on this but I will do it here.
Speaking to students in Marsberg, North Rhine–Westphalia, Merz said that in a future ceasefire or peace treaty with Russia, “part of Ukraine’s territory will no longer be Ukrainian.”
He emphasized that such a step would require democratic legitimacy in Ukraine, likely through a referendum.
Crucially, Merz framed this as a political trade-off:
- If President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were to seek public support for territorial concessions,
- he would need to offer Ukrainians something concrete in return: a credible, irreversible path to Europe (EU integration).
Merz also cooled expectations about fast-track EU accession:
He explicitly rejected January 1, 2027 or even 2028 as realistic entry dates.
He proposed interim steps, such as observer status in EU institutions, as a bridge while the war continues and reforms proceed.
So on one hand the quid pro quo for territorial concessions would be EU membership. But on the other hand he could not promise when that would take place.
Not too promising.
Merz emphasized in December 2025 and reiterated later, “the Ukrainian president and the Ukrainian people have to answer the question” of territorial concessions, not the United States
During meetings in Washington in early March 2026, Merz directly pushed back against President Trump’s statements that Ukraine must accept territorial concessions to end the war. Merz told Trump that:
- Ukraine should not be forced to give up additional territory, especially land it still controls.
- Any settlement must preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and security interests.
- A deal negotiated without Europe or imposed on Kyiv would not be legitimate.
As Merz put it publicly at the time, “Ukraine has to preserve its territory and their security interests,” and Europe would not accept an agreement negotiated “over our heads”.
So what has changed between March 2026 and April 2026?
In March 2026 he said that Ukraine should not be forced to give up territory
But merely a month later he said Ukraine will have to cede territory for peace.
What has changed? Why different positions?
I have several theories:
One, is that it depends on who is forcing Ukraine to cede territory. If it is the US and Trump, it is unacceptable. But if is Germany and the EU, that is OK.
Second, is Germany is tiring of this war. It is over four years and Germany wants it to end. It is expensive and Germany is tired of footing part of the bill. But March to April is a short time for weariness to set in.
Third, Merz received a new poll showing his approval figures are down and the war is responsible.
Fourth, is it is a trial balloon. It was done at a speech to students and Metz was seeing how it would be received. It was not received too well by Zelenskyy.
Trump has not responded to the flip in position by Merz
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-may-have-to-accept-territorial-losses-germanys-merz-suggests/
Comments
Post a Comment