German Chancellor: Ukraine must cede land for EU path

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has suggested that Ukraine may have to accept that parts of its territory remain outside Kyiv's control as part of a future peace deal with Russia. He explicitly linked this potential concession to Ukraine's path toward European Union membership, stating such a deal could be presented to the Ukrainian people as opening 'the path to Europe.' Merz also indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might need to hold a referendum to secure public support for such an agreement. The comments reflect ongoing international pressure on Ukraine to consider territorial compromises to end the war.