German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has declared Germany’s commitment to supporting any initiative promoting lasting peace in Ukraine. Reports of North Korean soldiers arriving in Ukraine to support Russia have sparked a debate about potential European military involvement in Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas stated that she would not rule out the possibility of sending troops, pending Ukraine’s approval.
As NATO allies prepare for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised a new approach to the conflict, there is no sign of a peace arrangement to stop the conflict which is approaching its third anniversary. Trump’s team has suggested that European troops could be deployed to Ukraine to enforce a buffer zone in case a peace deal is reached.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that Ukraine’s membership in NATO could end the “hot stage of the war”, a view that contrasts with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand for territorial gains and security assurances. Despite this, Zelenskyy has acknowledged that Ukraine’s military lacks the strength to retake occupied territories and suggests a diplomatic solution may be possible.
While the German government has resisted sending troops to Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a €650 million military aid package during a recent visit to Kyiv. With snap federal elections approaching, the stance on Ukraine may shift, with critics calling for tougher action, including providing powerful weapons to Ukraine to pressure Russia. The results of the elections on February 23 may impact Germany’s position on the conflict in Ukraine.
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