A senior figure within Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has voiced support for the planned accompaniment of European leaders, including CDU leader Friedrich Merz, to the upcoming meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Roderich Kiesewetter, a CDU foreign policy spokesperson, described the coordinated European presence as “important and sensible” in preventing any pressure on Zelenskyy towards accepting unfavorable peace terms. He emphasized the need for a firm European stance against Russia, urging readiness to proactively secure any potential, albeit currently improbable, ceasefire agreement through national deployment of forces.
Kiesewetter reiterated that lasting security for Ukraine fundamentally requires NATO membership. The former Bundeswehr Colonel specifically advocated for stationing troops to bolster security, noting Germany, as Europe’s largest economy, would naturally be expected to contribute alongside other nations. He anticipates Europe will seek assurances regarding US nuclear protection in exchange for such commitments.