Mertz skeptical about idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine
Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has dismissed the idea of creating a joint European army for post-war Ukraine. He emphasized that the EU’s urgent tasks are more important than large-scale reforms, Politico reports.
According to the outlet, at an informal summit in Zagreb, Merz welcomed initiatives from European People’s Party leader Manfred Weber aimed at modernizing the EU, but questioned their relevance for Europe’s immediate challenges.
Recently, Weber has proposed several notable initiatives to strengthen the EU’s global role. These include sending troops under a "European flag" to Ukraine and creating a single European leadership position by merging the roles of European Council president and European Commission president.
"We must focus on the tasks at hand right now," Merz said, adding that large-scale treaty changes in 27 countries would be a "difficult task."
While the Chancellor does not fundamentally rule out Germany’s participation in peacekeeping missions, the government has not yet defined specific commitments.
Germany is already supporting regional security near the Russian border, maintaining roughly 5,000 troops in Lithuania and patrolling Eastern European airspace.
In response, Weber noted that dialogue and discussion between the leaders are ongoing.
After a ceasefire is established in Ukraine, Germany could deploy its military contingent to neighboring NATO countries, Merz said at a press conference after the Coalition of the Willing meeting.
He assured that Germany will continue contributing to Ukraine politically, financially, and militarily.
Earlier, Merz avoided giving a direct answer about the possibility of sending German troops directly into Ukraine to enforce a ceasefire, though some German politicians have already openly supported such a move.
