German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview that, under security guarantees offered to Ukraine by Europe and the United States in the event of a ceasefire, peacekeeping troops could, under certain conditions, repel Russian forces—though he stressed that such a scenario remains distant.
Pressed by journalists to provide details on potential security guarantees referenced by the United States during Monday’s talks in Berlin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Merz said that guarantors would have to push back Russian forces if any ceasefire terms were violated, Reuters reported.
“We would ensure a demilitarized zone between the warring parties and, to be very specific, we would also act against any Russian incursions and attacks. We are not there yet,” the German chancellor said.
“The fact that the Americans have made such a commitment—to protect Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire as if it were NATO territory—I believe this is a significant new position for the United States,” he added.
Russia has not yet agreed to the ceasefire that the U.S. and Europe say would be a prerequisite for any security guarantees or the deployment of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine to help end the war that began in February 2022.
Merz further said he believes there is a “50:50” chance of reaching a European agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s defense. He stressed that such a step is essential, as Ukraine would need funding for at least two additional years once current European funds are exhausted in the first quarter of next year.
