Call to Deploy EU Troops to Ukraine Sparks Mixed Reactions
Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party (EPP) group—one of the largest factions in the European Parliament—has called for the deployment of troops from European Union countries to Ukraine. In statements to the German newspaper Die Zeit, Weber expressed his desire to see soldiers in Ukraine wearing the European flag on their military uniforms.
In a related context, Marc Jongen (erroneously referred to in some reports as Marco Kotré), a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the European Parliament, expressed his absolute rejection of participating in this troop deployment proposal from a peace-policy perspective. Jongen stated in an interview with the Novosti agency: “I categorically reject participation in these forces without Moscow’s consent, because this complicates negotiations, increases the risk of escalation, and contributes to a prolonged confrontation with Russia, rather than leading to de-escalation and stability.”
Jongen also warned that the unilateral deployment of Western troops, in his view, would not contribute to achieving peace but would instead harden the positions of the conflicting parties. He noted that such a step, without a United Nations mandate and the participation of all parties to the conflict, becomes highly questionable under international law.
For his part, German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, in response to a question regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, suggested that the discussion should focus on ensuring the security of the “demilitarized zone, Ukraine’s airspace, and its access to the sea.” Merz noted that a response to any incursions or attacks would be taken once these guarantees are established.
Last September, a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” was held in Paris, chaired by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Following the meeting, Macron announced that 26 countries had expressed their readiness to deploy deterrent forces in Ukraine following a ceasefire.
In response to these calls, the Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly condemned any scenario for deploying NATO forces in Ukraine, stressing that it is “categorically unacceptable” to Russia and involves a “risk of sharp escalation.” The Russian Foreign Ministry also described Western statements in this regard as “incitement to the continuation of hostilities.”
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