With security guarantees, Ukraine could be protected from future Russian attacks after a ceasefire. But that would likely require soldiers. Also from Germany? There is disagreement within the coalition.
Ahead of today's meeting in Washington, the debate about security guarantees and the deployment of German soldiers to Ukraine following a potential ceasefire is growing louder. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is cautious about the question of sending troops from Germany. The German government has made it clear that robust security guarantees for Ukraine are needed and that Germany must contribute to this, the CDU politician said. Whether German troops will be sent, however, must first be negotiated, he said on the sidelines of his visit to Tokyo.
The Bundeswehr has stated in the past that it is concentrating on establishing a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania."Anything further can only be answered by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, not me." He had previously expressed even more skepticism in the Table.Today podcast. The deployment of German soldiers to Ukraine would"likely overwhelm Germany," Wadephul said.
Kiesewetter:"Security is only possible with ground troops"
CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter criticized these statements."The mutual assistance pact also includes safeguarding a possible ceasefire—and that can only be achieved with ground troops."
Germany "cannot lead from Central Europe and refuse to engage itself locally," he told BR."We must rethink our own strategic culture. Because if we truly want to lead, that means helping out."
SPD foreign policy experts also disagree
SPD foreign policy spokesman Adis Ahmetović also appears open to the possibility of the Bundeswehr participating in a future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine."The US must provide reliable security guarantees for Ukraine. After that, support from Germany and the EU can be specified. At this point, nothing should be ruled out," the foreign policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group told Der Spiegel.
His party colleague Ralf Stegner, on the other hand, clearly opposed the Bundeswehr's participation in a military mission to secure a possible ceasefire."Germany should stay out of this issue. The deployment of German soldiers in the region is extremely difficult, also for historical reasons. That's not something you can just demand," Stegner told Der Spiegel.
Meeting in Washington
The backdrop to the debate is the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine. Following Friday's bilateral summit, US President Donald Trump will meet today in the US capital with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several leading European politicians, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU).
The talks will also address possible security guarantees for Ukraine. These are binding commitments to ensure the protection of a country—in this case, Ukraine—and to protect it from external threats.
Guarantees similar to NATO Article 5
Germany and other European countries have pledged support to Ukraine. However, the details of these guarantees are unclear. A mutual assistance clause, such as the one NATO states have among themselves under Article 5, is conceivable.
The article stipulates that in the event of an attack, the alliance partners can count on the support of the Allies and that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeyev also agrees that troops are needed. Security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty"sound good," he said on Deutschlandfunk. If the world lacks the courage to invite Ukraine into NATO, security guarantees for the country must be implemented"with force."
This could mean a large, well-equipped Ukrainian army along with political guarantees. However, the security guarantees might also have to be cemented"with military contingents from our partners"—that is, with troops from allies in Ukraine.
