The minister stressed that it is inappropriate to discuss such issues before talks with Kiev or Moscow.

"In addition to the fact that the European Union has no jurisdiction or competence over the deployment of troops - regardless of where and for what purposes - I would be very cautious in any way confirming or commenting on such considerations," Pistorius told reporters during a visit to the arms factory in Trosdorf.

The minister added that they are considering"what would be possible, what would not be possible, and under what conditions and reservations something would be conceivable at all". However, he stressed that it is completely wrong to discuss this publicly at this time.

Media reports say Leyen has discussed a framework for deploying a multinational force in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. She told the Financial Times that these plans are already quite detailed.