German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on 2/9 that the current focus regarding Ukraine's security is supporting Kyiv's forces in the conflict with Russia, not deploying troops. He stated that any potential German military deployment to Ukraine could only be considered in the distant future, after a ceasefire or peace agreement.
"Before that, there will certainly be no troop deployments to Ukraine. Even after that, I don't see this as a priority for Germany," Merz said.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Toulon, France, on 29/8. Photo: AP |
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Toulon, France, on 29/8. Photo: AP
Merz emphasized that any decision to send troops to Ukraine would require parliamentary approval and depend on agreements with Russia.
"Such a move would not be against Russia, but could only be implemented with Russia. Therefore, there are still many obstacles and it could take a considerable amount of time," Merz added.
When asked about the prospects of a peace summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the German Chancellor expressed skepticism. He assessed that Russia currently holds the upper hand on the battlefield and is not under enough pressure to negotiate.
Merz said Western nations could increase economic pressure on Russia. "Currently, Putin has absolutely no reason to pursue a ceasefire or peace agreement. We have to create the right conditions. Militarily, this will be difficult, but economically, it is achievable," he added.
Ukraine has previously requested concrete security guarantees from its Western allies, including troop deployments. This is a crucial condition for Ukraine in any peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict, which has lasted more than three years.
Ngoc Anh (According to Pravda, AA, Yahoo News)
