Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the Defence Committee in the European Parliament and a representative of the FDP, welcomed the initiative proposed by Friedrich Merz (CDU) concerning Ukraine’s partial integration into the EU. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, she stated that the general thrust of the CDU leader’s suggestion is correct. However, she emphasized that full EU membership cannot happen overnight, and the applicant must meet all established criteria, just as all other candidates must do. Despite the path ahead being gradual, Strack-Zimmermann stressed that Ukraine requires a reliable European outlook now more than ever, beyond the current level of support. Furthermore, she insisted that any security guarantees offered by Merz must be clearly defined, credibly structured, and prove their resilience in a real crisis. Strack-Zimmermann concluded that maintaining an ambiguous or incomplete status helps neither Ukraine nor Europe’s own security, adding a final political critique by inquiring, “The question remains: is the SPD aware of this?”
German Politician Supports Partial EU Membership for Ukraine
