Should German soldiers secure a possible peace in Ukraine? Chancellor Scholz considers this debate premature and “extremely inappropriate”. However, other European countries see it differently.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has once again rejected the discussion about a European peace force as “completely premature”. “I'm even a little irritated about these debates, I want to say that openly,” he said after the Ukraine summit in Paris.
Here, the heads of the Ukrainians are discussed about possible results of peace discussions that have not yet taken place. “This is extremely inappropriate to say it very openly and honestly.”
It is an “inappropriate debate on the wrong time and the wrong topic,” said Scholz. “We are not yet at peace, but in the middle of a war performed by Russia, which is continued without consideration.”
Other countries for Peace troops
However, Europe is divided on the question. Great Britain's head of government Keir Strandmer had previously stated that his country was “ready and willing” to send soldiers to the country attacked by Russia. The Netherlands and Sweden were also open to this.
Poland does not plan to postpass soldiers – but supports Macron's and Stranders' approach. Before his departure to Paris, Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: “We do not intend to send Polish troops to Ukraine, but we will also support the countries that want to give such guarantees in the future.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has been driving the topic of a European peace force for a long time. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot now reported “on different levels” before the summit.
Scholz emphasized that he was basically against the posting of a peace force without the United States. “There must be no division of security and responsibility between Europe and the USA,” he said. NATO is based on always acting together and sharing the risk. “This must not be questioned.”
EU on negotiations outside
US President Donald Trump had made a one -half hour phone call with the Russian head of state Vladimir Putin last Wednesday – without previously coordinating with the Europeans. Afterwards, Trump said that he had agreed with the Kremlin chief an “immediate” start of negotiations on the future of Ukraine.
This aroused the fears of western allies that both Ukraine and the European partners were excluded from the Ukraine talks. The summit wanted to serve to find a common line with a view to the change of course of US politics in the Ukraine War.
In addition to Scholz, the heads of government from Great Britain, Italy and Poland also took part. NATO boss Mark Rutte and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen were also there. From other EU countries, such as Slovenia, there was criticism that they could not take part in the talks.
Talks in Riad will start soon
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Rankhoehhe representatives of Russia want to talk about it in Saudi Arabia from Tuesday-but without the participation of Ukraine or other European representatives.
According to the US Ukraine representative Keith Kellogg, nobody will impose a peace agreement on the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj. The decision about this will make Selenskyj together with the Ukrainian people, said Kellogg in the NATO headquarters in Brussels.
With a view to the lack of participation of the Europeans, he said that the contributions to the discussion were heard from everyone. However, it does not make sense if everyone is sitting at the table for a peace agreement.
Scholz wants to loosen EU debt rules
With a view to another important issue of disputes – the armaments spending – Scholz spoke out for a loosening of the expenditure regulations within the EU.
At the European level, he proposed to grant the individual Member States larger scope in this context, he said. For this, the EU's debt rules would have to be made more flexible.
For example, no procedures should be initiated against states if they issue more than two percent of their economic output for defense, but thereby violate EU guidelines.
More scope for debt brake required
He also demanded more scope for German politics – and more money: “It is very clear that our continued and further necessary support for Ukraine is only possible if we can decide to finance it separately,” said Scholz. Financing through cuts elsewhere in the federal budget would fail and no support among the population.
He emphasized that Europe continues to be on the side of Ukraine and that it could rely on further help. It is important that Kiev could entertain his own strong army and was able to defend his sovereignty and democracy. However, there should be no “dictation peace”. These things are not negotiable.
