German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the CDU/CSU party congress that if Ukraine is defeated, the conflict in Europe will continue because it "will not satisfy" the appetites of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
His speech was broadcast on YouTube.
He recalled the events leading up to World War II and said there was no reason to believe that Russia's territorial concessions would "satisfy Putin's appetites."
“This is a Russian war of aggression against Ukraine - and against Europe. And if Ukraine falls, the war will not stop. Putin will not stop“, said Merz.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Koss welcomed the clause in the peace plan for Ukraine, which includes Kiev's membership in the EU, UNIAN reports.
She commented on reports that one of the latest versions of the peace plan includes a clause according to which Ukraine should become an EU member no later than 2027. At the same time, Koss noted that the decision would require the consent of all EU countries and “at some point, unanimity will have to be achieved“. Everything depends on the pace of reforms in the country, said the European Commissioner.
“I am very pleased that this peace plan mentions Ukraine's accession to the EU. This is the first draft. We will see what happens in the end“, Kos said.
Earlier, the British newspaper Financial Times reported that the Ukrainian version of the peace plan presented by the US envisages accession to the EU by January 1, 2027. The article notes that Brussels supports the aspirations of the Ukrainian authorities. The European Commission proposed to consider Ukraine's accession to the EU as early as 2024. These plans were thwarted by Hungary's veto.