CSU leader says NATO mustn’t send troops to Ukraine in case of truce

(MENAFN) A leading figure in Germany has voiced strong opposition to the idea of NATO sending forces to Ukraine, warning that such a move could be seen by Russia as the first step toward Kyiv joining the alliance. Markus Soder, head of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union (CSU), stated that deploying troops would heighten tensions with Moscow.

In a recent interview, Soder, a close ally of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, emphasized his stance: “I find it hard to imagine NATO troops being stationed there. Russia would never accept that. It would be a precursor to Ukraine’s accession to NATO,” he said.

He further noted that even if Germany seriously considered sending forces, the national military is currently unprepared, describing it as “stretched to the limit, both financially and in terms of personnel.”

Earlier, Merz indicated that German troop involvement remains a theoretical option, but only after a ceasefire is achieved. “Until then, there will certainly be no troop deployments to Ukraine,” he remarked. “Then we will have to look at what the agreement with Russia looks like. This cannot be done against Russia, it can only be done with Russia.”

Recent reports suggest that Berlin has shelved plans to send troops to Ukraine, following comments from the United States that Washington would not commit ground forces. Public sentiment in Germany also appears largely opposed to military deployment, with a late August survey indicating that 56% of Germans reject sending troops, while only 28% support it. Opposition is notably stronger in eastern regions, where skepticism toward aiding Ukraine militarily is more common.

Russian authorities have also cautioned against stationing NATO forces in Ukraine, asserting that the alliance’s expansion played a central role in sparking the conflict.

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