German defense minister criticizes von der Leyen’s comments of deploying troops to Ukraine
(MENAFN) German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has openly rebuked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over her comments about a potential EU troop deployment to Ukraine, arguing that the bloc lacks the authority to make such decisions and that discussions on the matter should remain confidential.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to an arms manufacturer near Cologne on Monday, Pistorius called it “completely wrong” to publicly discuss possible troop deployments or other military measures concerning Ukraine at this stage. “Apart from the fact that the European Union has no jurisdiction or competence whatsoever when it comes to the deployment of troops – regardless of for whom or for what – I would be very cautious about confirming or commenting on such considerations in any way,” he said.
The minister added that deliberations are still ongoing on “what might be possible, what might not be possible, and under what conditions and reservations something could even be conceivable.”
The rare public criticism from the German defense minister came after von der Leyen said officials in EU capitals have been preparing “pretty precise plans” for a multinational force deployment to Ukraine once the conflict ends, a move she claimed also has the support of US President Donald Trump.
Earlier reports suggested that Washington might provide “strategic enablers,” including “US aircraft, logistics, and ground-based radar supporting and enabling a European-enforced no-fly zone and air shield for the country,” though the Pentagon described these measures as “pre-decisional.”
Moscow has consistently rejected any NATO troop deployments to Ukraine, warning such action could escalate the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated in late August that security guarantees “must be subject to consensus” and stressed that any foreign military intervention is “absolutely unacceptable.”
Speaking to reporters during a visit to an arms manufacturer near Cologne on Monday, Pistorius called it “completely wrong” to publicly discuss possible troop deployments or other military measures concerning Ukraine at this stage. “Apart from the fact that the European Union has no jurisdiction or competence whatsoever when it comes to the deployment of troops – regardless of for whom or for what – I would be very cautious about confirming or commenting on such considerations in any way,” he said.
The minister added that deliberations are still ongoing on “what might be possible, what might not be possible, and under what conditions and reservations something could even be conceivable.”
The rare public criticism from the German defense minister came after von der Leyen said officials in EU capitals have been preparing “pretty precise plans” for a multinational force deployment to Ukraine once the conflict ends, a move she claimed also has the support of US President Donald Trump.
Earlier reports suggested that Washington might provide “strategic enablers,” including “US aircraft, logistics, and ground-based radar supporting and enabling a European-enforced no-fly zone and air shield for the country,” though the Pentagon described these measures as “pre-decisional.”
Moscow has consistently rejected any NATO troop deployments to Ukraine, warning such action could escalate the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated in late August that security guarantees “must be subject to consensus” and stressed that any foreign military intervention is “absolutely unacceptable.”
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