Germany Open to Deploying Peacekeepers in Ukraine, Says Defense Minister

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has stated that German military forces could potentially participate in securing a demilitarized zone in Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached. The statement was made during an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung on January 17.

Pistorius addressed the possibility of deploying German troops to a buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing that such discussions would only take place “when the time comes.” He highlighted Germany’s role as NATO's largest partner in Europe, underlining the country’s responsibility to contribute to regional security.

“We are NATO's largest partner in Europe. It is evident that we will play a role and must assume responsibility,” Pistorius said.

The minister also underscored the importance of establishing a security framework for Ukraine to prevent a potential future attack by Russia.

Looking ahead, Pistorius announced plans to visit the United States in the coming weeks to engage with the administration of President-elect Donald Trump. He noted that the nominee for US Secretary of Defense had not yet been confirmed but emphasized the importance of swift coordination and discussions in Washington in early February.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the possibility of deploying British and French troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission if a ceasefire is reached. The leaders explored scenarios for establishing a demilitarized buffer zone.