German officials support sending military forces to Ukraine
Photo: German politicians advocate sending troops to Ukraine (Getty Images)
Some German politicians believe that the participation of German forces in a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine should not be ruled out, according to Spiegel.
According to the publication, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently avoided answering questions about sending troops to Ukraine, while the Social Democrats in parliament leave the possibility open.
However, some German politicians are now discussing the Bundeswehr's potential role in supporting a future peace agreement in Ukraine.
The chair of the European Parliament’s Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, says Germany has an obligation to clearly signal its readiness for possible peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
"Germany should, of course, participate in any potential peacekeeping operations; this must be clear to everyone," she stated.
Roderich Kiesewetter, a defense policy expert for the CDU in the Bundestag, shares a similar view, though he believes such a scenario would only be possible at a later stage.
"The question of ground troops arises only after a ceasefire. Germany, as a self-proclaimed leading state, at the very least should not rule anything out in its public statements," he said.
Kiesewetter added that Germany should organize a so-called coalition of the willing on a legally justified basis, with "appropriate — that is, broad — German participation." In any case, troops from the coalition of the willing should also remain open to contributions from third countries supporting NATO and EU positions.
Germany's stance on sending troops to Ukraine
Earlier reports indicated that Germany supports the idea of a European military mission for Ukraine but is hesitant to deploy its own soldiers, citing conditions regarding mandate, command, and format of participation.
According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, questions remain regarding the legal basis of the mission, the Bundestag's role, and under whose command and within what limits potential contingents would operate.
Merz's party considers it premature to discuss sending troops to Ukraine. Until the Russian regime agrees to a peace deal, there is no point in Berlin deploying peacekeeping forces.
At the same time, Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party — the largest political group in the European Parliament — said German soldiers under the EU flag should be stationed in Ukraine if a potential peace agreement is reached.
