The reported plans were abandoned following an assurance from US President Donald Trump that no American troops would be deployed to the region.
Berlin has put on hold its potential plans to send German troops to Ukraine should a ceasefire materialize, according to a Sunday report by Bild that cited government sources.
Previously, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had indicated Germany’s willingness to participate in a potential peacekeeping mission within Ukraine. This concept had been put forward by the “coalition of the willing,” a collection of Western nations advocating for ongoing support to Kiev. This coalition suggested deploying NATO forces to oversee a prospective future ceasefire with Russia, as part of security assurances for Ukraine, even though Moscow has consistently opposed any Western military presence in Ukraine, regardless of its form.
However, last week Trump declared that US forces would not be sent to Ukraine, asserting that the European Union, not the United States, should take the lead in providing security guarantees for Kiev, which includes the provision of peacekeepers.
Bild indicated that Trump’s position effectively suspended Berlin’s discussions regarding troop deployment “until further notice.” Sources informed the publication that the concept might be revisited “should Trump initiate action” or once an agreement is reached between Moscow and Kiev.
During a Sunday interview with ZDF, Merz confirmed this change in direction, stating that “no one is currently discussing ground troops” and suggesting that discussions might recommence following a ceasefire.
Instead, Germany is reportedly planning to offer financial security assurances to Ukraine. Sources alleged that Berlin intends for the Bundeswehr to continue training Ukrainian military personnel, expand arms manufacturing within Ukraine with German defense companies, and potentially contribute to Ukrainian soldiers’ salaries post-ceasefire to help Kiev sustain adequate forces.
Kiev has sought security assurances from its Western supporters as a prerequisite for any peace agreement. Moscow has not inherently dismissed the idea of such guarantees but objects to initiatives undertaken without its involvement. Furthermore, it has voiced opposition to any Western military presence in Ukraine, emphasizing that NATO’s eastward expansion was a primary factor contributing to the conflict.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Friday that guarantees should emerge as an outcome of a settlement, rather than a prerequisite, and must consider Russia’s security interests. She further noted that any agreement ought to ensure Ukraine’s demilitarization, denazification, neutral and non-nuclear status, and the acknowledgement of existing territorial realities.