LOS ANGELES (OC).–German Chacellor Friedrich Merz, 69, raised controversy in Germany talking about putting German troops into a post-war Ukraine, raising concerns about Germany’s military past. Merz keeps talking about the European Union supplying a post-war force in Ukraine but there’s no peace plan approved with Russian President Vladimir Putin raising strong objections. Putin’s motive in invading Ukraine had to do with NATO expansion into Russian territory, something promised wouldn’t happen after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union. So, when Merz talks about putting German troops in Ukraine, it’s premature to say the least, especially after he attended a Aug. 18 meeting at the White House and knows Putin’s objections to seeing troops in Ukraine. Merz still thinks that the coalition of the willing seeks a 30-day ceasefire, something nixed by Putin and President Donald Trump.
Merz admitted that any deployment of German forces to Ukraine would have to be approved in the Bundestag, the German parliament, where it’s no sure bet based on German post WW II pacifism. Alice Wendel, head of the conservative Alternative for Germany party [[AID], accused Merz of warmongering, calling the idea of putting ground troops in Ukraine “dangerous and irresponsible.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said sending German troops to Ukraine “would probably overwhelm us.” Whatever speculation swirls in Germany about a post-war troop deployment, it’s inappropriate to discus given that there’s no peace plan with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saying he won’t cede any land in Donbas to the Russian Federation. When it comes to post-war security, there’s no peace plan in effect to eventually end the war.
German policy makers must decide how much of Germany’s struggling economy wants to pour into Ukraine, now or in a post-war scenario. Merz has been accused already of warmongering considering giving Ukraine German-made Taurus long-range missiles for the purpose of firing deep inside Russia. “Something like this is obviously extremely controversial in Germany,” said Marcel Disus, Non Resident Fellow at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University, calling on the government to exercise caution. “There is no point to expending political capital on something that might not actually come to pass,” said Disus. Jens Spahn, Bundestag leader of Merz’s Christian Democrats Party, said the public and press should stop speculating about any post-war security scenario. Merz’s popularity has dropped in the polls because of his perceived anti-Russian attitude.
Merz has been urging his EU colleagues to hit Putin with more sanctions because of his refusal to acquiesce to ceasefire demands. Merz got caught up with French President Emmanuel Marcon and U.K. Prime Minister’s get tough attitude with Putin, something Merz readily joined in on. According to a Forsa poll initiated by RTL/ntv, 49% of Germans approve of Germany sending troops to Ukraine in a post-war peace keeping force. Forty-five percent oppose the idea, showing a divided nation about sending out German troops. Steven Schulze, leader of Merz’s CDU in Saxony, formerly East Germany, to Stern Magazine that Germany was not in position to deploy its military to Ukraine. “Anything else would overwhelm us as a country and also in Buneswehr,” Schulze said, urging any post war security to be part of the EU not specifically deploying German troops.
Merz, Macron and Starmer have been slow on the uptake of how the peace process must take place, starting not with a ceasefire but with Russian and Ukrainian delegations working on a mutually acceptable peace deal. Putin put out his minimal conditions for completing a deal, saying he’s flexible on certain Ukrainian territory but not when it comes to Ukraine ever joining the NATO alliance. When it comes any post-war scenario, Putin said it’s unacceptable to let NATO or EU troop inside Ukraine. Trump said he’d be willing to give Ukraine some air support but ruled out putting U.S. boots on the ground. Trump wants the EU to stop putting the cart before the horse and encourage Zelensky to do the work necessary to come up with a workable peace deal. Merz, Macron and Starmer seem more inclined to punish Putin with more economic sanctions.
EU officials would best spend their time working with Zelensky to put together his best team to negotiate with the Russian side to end the war. Zelensky can’t make unilateral proclamations about anything or excuses why he can’t do this or that. Zelensky needs to stop grandstanding about Ukraine getting a bad deal and spend his time working with his Russian counterparts to finally end this bloody and destructive war. Trump said Zelensky made a bad decision Feb. 24, 2022 to go to war against the Kremlin. Trump told him Russia had a bigger, more experience military to outlast Ukraine no matter how many Western weapons he gets. When comes to ending the war Trump advised Zelensky Feb. 28 in the Oval Office to cut his losses, end the war and start the long process of rebuilding Ukraine. Zelensky threw a fit and couldn’t take the truth.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
