Ukraine: CDU argues about Merz statements on Bundeswehr deployment

A peace conclusion in Ukraine is not yet recognizable. But the domestic policy debate about possible peace troops started with the summit in Washington at the latest. Also within the Chancellor party.

Friedrich Merz had said in front of the White House on Monday that a debate about possible security guarantees for Ukraine had to be carried out. “Up to the question of whether we may have to make decisions that may be subject to mandate.” Say: a use of the Bundeswehr.

Contradiction follows promptly. And that also from the CDU party presidency. “The fact that German soldiers are fighting in Ukraine must not be an issue,” . He is also the Vice-CDU vice-party leader. Germany could not guarantee the security of Ukraine, the Bundeswehr lacked the prerequisites. He cannot be influenced by fears in the population. “In this case, however, I think things are wrong and don’t see that you should go this way.”

Sven Schulze, also a member of the Presidium of the CDU and her head of state in Saxony-Anhalt, shares Kretschmer’s criticism. Schulze, who will start in the state elections as the top candidate of his party in the coming year, told the star: “With all the necessary support from the Federal Republic for Ukraine, we should not make a debate about a direct deployment of German soldiers in Germany. “Not only is the Bundeswehr currently hardly able to use another brigade in Lithuania. According to Schulze, it is about” building a strong European security architecture “.” Everything else would overwhelm us as a country and the Bundeswehr. “

The criticism of the two Eastern politicians may also be declared a recent survey by RTL/NTV as a troop’s deployment in Ukraine. So is a narrow majority of West Germans for participation Germany However, this rejects a possible European peace force, a clear majority of East Germans. Overall, however, the supporters of the Union are particularly clear. In contrast, the AfD supporters in particular are.

But Kretschmer in particular now also gets headwind from the East German CDU. “I understand Kretschmers There are no speculation about the fighting of German soldiers in Ukraine, “said Jan Redmann, leader of the CDU in Brandenburg, the star. “It’s about how peace in Ukraine can be achieved and secured.” Europe will have to make a contribution.

The dispute for the CDU is currently in the east: in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there will be elections next year. The concern is that too strong military participation in Ukraine could lead even more people to the AfD.

Thuringia’s Prime Minister Mario Voigt does not want to lead the debate at all. “I would not participate in this discussion, “said Voigt that star. “The time for this simply didn’t come.” First of all, there must be a peace that can be protected. “Now Putin is on the train to let your weapons be silent.” Voigt stood behind Friedrich Merz: “By the way, our Chancellor does an excellent job.”

It seems questionable whether the sparked debate is so easy. The military officer and CDU member of the Bundestag Henning Otte said on Deutschlandfunk to send thousands of soldiers to Ukraine would be a huge challenge for the Bundeswehr. His party colleague, Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul, had previously commented even more skeptical.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump explained that he excluded the use of American soil troops in Ukraine. Instead, he assumes that Germany, France and Great Britain sent soldiers to Ukraine to secure peace. However, the United States are ready to support the allies – for example from the air – in their use.

But Friedrich Merz has to convince his party first. And then the rest of the country.