**Germany’s New Chancellor Says Ukraine Must End War to Join NATO and EU**
In an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt, Friedrich Merz, Germany’s incoming chancellor, made it clear that Ukraine cannot join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the European Union while it remains at war with Russia. This statement has significant implications for Ukraine’s future relations with these two powerful alliances.
According to Merz, Ukraine’s wartime status makes it impossible for the country to become a member of either NATO or the EU at this stage. However, he emphasized that Ukraine’s future lies within both alliances and reaffirmed the promise of joining them once hostilities have ended. “The war must end first” before Ukraine can join NATO or the EU, Merz said.
This stance is not surprising given Germany’s own wartime history and its desire to maintain peace in Europe. As one of the continent’s largest economies, Germany has been a leading supporter of Ukraine, providing it with significant military aid and diplomatic backing. In fact, Germany has become Ukraine’s second-largest military donor after the United States.
**Germany’s New Government: A Shift in European Security Policy**
The CDU/CSU bloc, led by Merz, won the most seats in February’s Bundestag election, securing a majority in parliament to form a new government. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) finished third and will serve as a coalition partner in the new government. This development is seen as a significant shift in European security policy, with Germany rearming and taking on a larger role in supporting Ukraine.
The new cabinet is expected to maintain support for Ukraine and increase defense spending, further outlining its priorities in the coalition agreement. In fact, just last month, a German parliamentary coalition agreed to allocate 3 billion euros (approximately $3.2 billion) in new military aid to Ukraine.
**Implications for Ukraine and Europe**
Merz’s statement has implications not only for Ukraine but also for the entire continent. The war between Russia and Ukraine has created a crisis that requires European unity and cooperation to resolve. Germany’s stance, therefore, reflects a broader shift in Europe’s security strategy, as the continent rearms and takes on a larger role in supporting Ukraine.
The new German government is expected to maintain its support for Ukraine and increase defense spending, which could have significant implications for the country’s future relations with NATO and the EU. While Merz’s statement has raised some eyebrows, it reflects Germany’s desire to maintain peace in Europe and promote stability on the continent.
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