German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has ruled out Ukraine’s immediate accession to the European Union, while proposing closer involvement of Kyiv in EU institutions as an interim step.

Axar.az reports, citing European Conservative, the Chancellor made the remarks at a press conference following an informal European Council meeting in Nicosia.

“It is clear to everyone that an immediate accession of Ukraine to the EU is, of course, not possible,” he said.

Merz added that Germany would support “closer integration into the European institutions,” including allowing Ukraine to participate in meetings such as European Council sessions without voting rights.