The possibility of deploying German troops to Ukraine is gaining traction within German political circles, with prominent CDU foreign policy expert Armin Laschet suggesting it could be viable under specific conditions. Speaking to Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Laschet stipulated that such a deployment would require a credible ceasefire agreement with Russia, coupled with robust security guarantees from the United States for Ukraine. He acknowledged Chancellor Scholz’s previous commitment to stationing German troops on the periphery of Ukraine, stating the ultimate involvement of the Bundeswehr remains contingent on the evolving situation.
Laschet expressed a cautiously optimistic view regarding Russia’s potential willingness to engage in a peaceful resolution, indicating he believes the United States is actively communicating with Moscow and is pursuing a comprehensive solution to a greater extent than publicly acknowledged. He suggested that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s recent displays of flexibility are likely influenced by indirect signals emanating from Russia.
However, Laschet’s commentary also contained a stinging critique of Europe’s reliance on the United States to navigate diplomatic channels with Russia. He sharply criticized the current system, where information about sensitive negotiations is often mediated through the White House, specifically citing the Trump administration’s negotiators, Kushner and Witkoff, who previously relayed European-developed positions to Moscow. “It is a self-surrender for Europe to need the Trump negotiators. to carry European positions, developed with European heads of state and Zelenskyy, to Moscow” he stated. He lauded French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to re-initiate dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin as a crucial step.
When pressed on whether CDU leader Friedrich Merz should personally engage in discussions with Putin, Laschet responded evasively, suggesting that initial talks could be conducted by a specially appointed envoy, coordinated among European nations, rather than directly involving Putin. This subtle deflection hints at internal CDU deliberations concerning the appropriate level of direct engagement with the Kremlin and potentially reflects a concern about the political optics of such a high-profile meeting during a sensitive period. The comments underscore a growing discomfort within some German political circles regarding Europe’s perceived dependence on U.S. diplomacy in resolving the Ukrainian conflict and raise fundamental questions about the continent’s strategic autonomy.
