Germany has given a first major shock to the optimistic Zelensky and his other backers, including the EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen, after Berlin denied sending any troops to Ukraine under a peacekeeping agreement.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has denounced the recent remarks of Ursula von der Leyen about potential EU and NATO troop deployment to Ukraine. He said the bloc’s leadership has neither any jurisdiction nor competence in such matters, while the deliberations should be held behind closed doors.
His argument also makes sense, considering any such move would definitely force the Russian side to intensify its offensive in Ukraine, leading to more deaths and destruction. Von der Leyen’s remarks are irresponsible and vague since there is no timeline given, and her statement could further jeopardise the ongoing negotiations.
Pistorius made anti-troop deployment remarks while speaking to reporters during his visit to an arms manufacturer near Cologne on Monday. Pistorius said the remarks are “completely wrong” to publicly discuss potential deployments or any other military security measures for Ukraine at the moment.
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He added, “Apart from the fact that the European Union has no jurisdiction or competence whatsoever when it comes to the deployment of troops.”
“Regardless of for whom or for what – I would be very cautious about confirming or commenting on such considerations in any way,” he stated. Various parties are still deliberating “what might be possible, what might not be possible, and under what conditions and reservations something could even be conceivable,” the minister added.
Meanwhile, Moscow has repeatedly rejected the idea of troops from NATO countries being deployed in any capacity to Ukraine, warning that such a move would only lead to a broader conflict and that those troops would be considered legitimate targets by Russian forces.
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