Does the German army provide security in Ukraine?
European leaders are discussing how to ensure Ukraine's security in the event of a peace settlement, while Germany faces internal disagreements over whether to deploy its troops as part of these efforts. Within the CDU party, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed his reservations about sending German forces, while foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter emphasized that a ceasefire can only be guaranteed through the presence of ground troops.
Kizeviter emphasized that Germany cannot "lead from the center of Europe and refuse to engage on the ground," calling for a change in strategic culture if the country is serious about playing a leadership role. He criticized Fadibol's cautious stance, asserting that true leadership means direct contribution to peacekeeping operations.
For his part, Fadibol warned that the deployment of German troops in Ukraine could pose a burden beyond the capacity of the German army (Bundeswehr), which is already engaged in tasks including the deployment of a brigade in Lithuania. He explained that Germany should play an important role in peace efforts, but it also needs to recognize the limits of its military capabilities.
The debate has expanded beyond the CDU party. Zara Wagenknecht, leader of the BSW party, demanded Chancellor Friedrich Merz to categorically exclude any deployment of German soldiers, pointing out that such a step would immediately make Germany a party to the war and escalate tensions with Russia. At the same time, Lars Klingbeil, leader of the Social Democratic Party, acknowledged that Germany must take responsibility for the security of Ukraine, but he avoided specifying the form of this commitment.
Meanwhile, international focus is shifting to Washington, where U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders following Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin. The talks aim to create conditions for a ceasefire and negotiate a path to peace. Kizeviter described these discussions as "damage control," warning against rewarding Russian aggression, while former German ambassador to Moscow Rüdiger von Fritsch emphasized that Europe must send a strong message affirming its commitment to stand by Ukraine.