Germany considers sending troops to Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced during the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels that German troops might be deployed to Ukraine if a sustainable ceasefire is achieved. Baerbock emphasized that the presence of foreign troops along the border could serve as a significant security guarantee for Ukraine in addition to its potential NATO membership, according to Die Welt newspaper.

She further underscored that any initiative aimed at resolving the conflict would receive support from all parties within the German government.

In a related statement, European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas indicated that European armies could be sent to Ukraine after a ceasefire agreement. Kallas noted that troops might come from countries such as France, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

At the end of November, the French newspaper Le Monde reported ongoing EU discussions about the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stressed that the EU must prepare for such a scenario, particularly if US President-elect Donald Trump leads ceasefire negotiations.

The idea of deploying Western troops to Ukraine was initially raised earlier this year by French President Emmanuel Macron. He stipulated that any deployment would require substantial progress on the front lines and an official request from the Ukrainian government in Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Russia has responded critically to these proposals. The Foreign Intelligence Organisation (SVR) claimed that Western powers are plotting to freeze the conflict in Ukraine before launching an invasion under the guise of a “peacekeeping” mission. The SVR alleged that regions of Ukraine have already been “divided” among potential occupying forces, with Romania taking the Black Sea coast, Poland the western regions, Germany the central and eastern areas, and Britain the northern regions, including Kyiv.

The SVR suggested that a total of 100,000 “peacekeepers” could be deployed to Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted in June that Western military trainers and advisers are already present in Ukraine, signaling the West’s growing involvement in the conflict.