Germany Rejects Von der Leyen’s Suggestion on Deploying EU Troops to Ukraine

Germany has firmly rejected the idea of sending European Union troops to Ukraine, following remarks made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about potential multinational deployments.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stressed on Monday that any such proposal lies far beyond the EU’s authority. Speaking during his visit to an ammunition production site in Cologne, Pistorius said, “These are not subjects for speculation. The European Union has no mandate or competence to make such decisions.”

Von der Leyen had suggested in an interview that Europe, alongside the United States, was preparing “precise plans” for post-war security arrangements in Ukraine. Reports indicated that her comments hinted at the possibility of a significant multinational presence on Ukrainian soil once hostilities subside.

The German government, however, has made it clear that discussions about troops on the ground are premature and should only be addressed at a formal negotiation level. Pistorius underlined that Germany remains committed to supporting Kyiv with weapons, training, and financial assistance, but ruled out direct EU military involvement.

The debate comes as European leaders prepare to gather in Paris later this week to explore long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Germany’s Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil also reaffirmed Berlin’s backing for Kyiv, while emphasizing the need for international consensus rather than unilateral announcements.

With the war entering a critical stage, the dispute highlights the political sensitivities surrounding Europe’s role in shaping Ukraine’s future security architecture.