Germany's Merz rejects Ukraine's fast-track EU bid and seeks new alliances

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly rejected Ukraine's push for a concrete, fast-tracked date to join the European Union. He stated that a 2027 entry is 'impossible,' emphasizing that new members should be 'partners, not subordinates.'

At the same time, Merz is seeking new political alliances within the EU, traveling to Italy for a summit with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This signals a potential shift away from the traditional Franco-German leadership, as Merz and Meloni discuss forming a new 'dynamic duo' to overcome policy gridlock, including proposals for a 'two-speed' EU.