Merz: Ground Troops Not on the Table in Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has downplayed the possibility of sending Western ground troops to Ukraine, stating that “no one is talking about ground troops in Ukraine at the moment.” In an interview with the German public broadcaster ZDF, Merz clarified that the current priority of Germany and its allies is focused squarely on providing long-term military support to the Ukrainian army to enable it to defend its country effectively.
The Chancellor’s statement comes amidst a tense diplomatic backdrop, with discussions among Western leaders about potential security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a future peace agreement. The United Kingdom and France have been leading a proposal for a “deterrence force” that would monitor a ceasefire and deter future Russian aggression. Merz’s comments suggest that any German involvement in such a force would not include combat troops on the ground, a position that reflects deep-seated historical and political sensitivities in Germany regarding military deployments.
Merz’s remarks were made just ahead of a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine. While Merz expressed a desire for a diplomatic solution, he also voiced skepticism about a quick end to the conflict, stating that he is “prepared for the fact that this war will last a long time.” He also reiterated that a peace deal could not come at the “price of Ukraine’s capitulation,” arguing that such an outcome would embolden Russia to turn its attention to other countries. “And then the day after tomorrow it will be our turn,” he said.
The Chancellor emphasized that Germany’s current focus is on a different kind of support, one that strengthens Ukraine’s own military capacity. Germany has become the second-largest provider of military aid to Ukraine after the United States. Its assistance includes providing advanced air defense systems, and its defense industry is collaborating on the production of long-range missiles for Ukraine. Merz has also made it a priority to transform the Bundeswehr into “the strongest conventional army in Europe,” in line with its new strategic reality.
Any decision to deploy German military forces abroad, even for non-combat roles like air defense, would require a mandate from the Bundestag, the German parliament. Merz’s clarification that such deployments are not on the agenda for now underscores the political and legal complexities involved. The statement provides a clear picture of Germany’s current position: a long-term commitment to arming and supporting Ukraine from a distance, while firmly rejecting direct military intervention.