The comments come after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed creating an interim "associate" form of EU membership for Ukraine and other candidate countries while they wait for full accession to the bloc.

Friedrich Merz is pushing for Ukraine to be inside inside the EU without 'further delays'

Bundeskanzler Merz fordert neuen EU-Status für Ukraine zur stärkeren Einbindung trotz Krieg und Wirtschaftskrise.