Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Merz Hints at European-Led Troop Deployment in Ukraine


(MENAFN) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday left open the prospect of dispatching troops to Ukraine as part of a European-led multinational initiative aimed at securing a peace accord.

During an interview with a public broadcaster, Merz sidestepped the direct question of whether the German Armed Forces would take part in such an operation.

He emphasized that the “Coalition of the Willing” would involve not only European nations but also countries like Canada, Australia, and others. “If it ever comes to that, it will be a ceasefire agreement with Russia,” he stated.

Following two days of discussions with Ukraine and the United States in Berlin on Sunday and Monday, multiple European nations expressed support for a European-led “multinational force for Ukraine.” The force, backed by both Europe and the US, is intended to aid the Ukrainian military and secure control over airspace and maritime zones.

Addressing concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin opposes the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine, Merz remarked, “Putin has said ‘nyet’ (no) to many things, but at some point he will also have to say ‘yes.’”

The chancellor underlined that the Berlin talks regarding Ukraine had yielded progress. While Merz mentioned the potential creation of a demilitarized zone to separate the warring parties, he also highlighted Russia’s ongoing resistance to agreeing to a ceasefire.

MENAFN17122025000045017167ID1110490751



MENAFN

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Search