Berlin – Germany discusses: Could the Bundeswehr secure a possible peace in Ukraine?

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (62, CDU) said in the podcast"Table.Today" that sending German soldiers to Ukraine was a "remote question" and would "probably overwhelm" Germany due to the parallel build-up of a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania.

He later clarified his statement and emphasized in BILD that the goal must be"to ensure that Ukraine can continue to defend itself vigorously against Russian aggression in the future." He added that what would be necessary for this would be "looked at together with the United States." And added: "It is clear that Germany must assume a leadership role and responsibility in this complex process."

In the SPD, people are rolling their eyes at Wadephul's speculation about the Bundeswehr. SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch (56) said during his summer trip:"I consider any discussion about troops premature." At the moment, it is important to clarify"whether there is even a basis" for such a Ukraine mission.

A brigade “could handle Germany”

Referring to discussions between France and Great Britain, Prof. Carlo Masala (57, Bundeswehr University Munich) explains:"20,000 to 25,000 soldiers" would be needed to "position themselves around critical infrastructure in Ukraine" and take on training tasks for the Ukrainian army. But:"They would not be stationed on the front line, and they would not have a combat mission."

Depending on how many countries participate in the coalition, Germany would have to"participate with a brigade, i.e., 5,000." Germany could "certainly handle this," but might have to "put certain obligations (...) on the back burner for the time being." In principle, however, this applies to all states participating in the mission.

For Masala, one thing is clear: “If there are no truly solid security guarantees, then no Europeans will go in.”

Deployment without the USA is an “open-heart surgery”

The Bundeswehr isn't really ready for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, believes military expert Dr. Sebastian Bruns (43, University of Kiel) – too few personnel, too few equipment, and even the permanent brigade in Lithuania would be a major undertaking."You have to be careful that your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach," he warns.

Therefore, everything possible must be done to get the Americans on board. A deployment without the USA would be as risky as"open-heart surgery." But: "If it doesn't work out with the Americans, we'll have to bite the bullet: Either go it alone as Europeans – or leave Ukraine to its fate." Because Germany cannot afford to stay out of it: "That signal would be disastrous for Ukraine. We are not Switzerland, Liechtenstein, or Austria – but a major economic power," Bruns makes clear.

And further:"We have a responsibility for peace in Europe. We cannot say that someone else should pull the chestnuts out of the fire for us."