Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party (EPP) and its group in the European Parliament, has called for the participation of German troops in ensuring a peaceful settlement in Ukraine under a European flag.
„Europe must play a responsible role when it comes to providing long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. I hope that then we will not be talking about national, but about European operational structures. "I want troops with a European flag on their uniforms, who will guarantee peace together with our Ukrainian friends," Weber said in an interview with the Funke media group.
At the same time, the politician argues, one should not expect US President Donald Trump "to secure a peaceful settlement solely with the help of American troops." "And if we are talking about European troops, then Germany cannot remain on the sidelines," the EPP leader stressed. Europe, he said, "must take responsibility for Ukraine's security." "After a ceasefire or a peace agreement, the European flag must fly along the security line," Weber concluded. At the same time, he expressed skepticism about the prospects for a quick ceasefire in Ukraine.
Earlier, EU leaders issued a joint statement after the talks in Berlin. They believe that guarantees for Kiev should include the creation of a European-led “multinational force for Ukraine“, composed of interested countries, to be formed “as part of a “coalition of the willing“ and with the support of the United States“. The statement states that “these forces will assist in the restoration of the Ukrainian armed forces, ensuring control over Ukrainian airspace and maritime security, as well as through operations inside Ukraine“.
Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine. At a briefing on December 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow's position against the deployment of Western contingents in Ukraine is consistent and well-known. On August 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that ensuring Ukraine's security through "foreign military intervention in any part of Ukrainian territory" would be unacceptable to Russia.