Security guarantees: Söder: NATO troops in Ukraine hardly imaginable

CSU boss Markus Söder has faced considerations to use the Bundeswehr as part of security guarantees for Ukraine in the country. In doing so, he proceeds differently than Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), who currently does not want to rule out anything on this question.

“It is hard to imagine for me that NATO troops are stationed there. Russia would not accept that. Because it would be the preliminary stage of Ukraine’s accession to NATO,” said Söder of “Rheinische Post”. “In addition, the Bundeswehr is not ready for this,” added the Bavarian Prime Minister. She was sewn financially and personally on edge. Therefore, conscription is needed again.

Merz had made it clear four days earlier in an interview that there are concrete plans for a military operation in Ukraine “at least not in Germany”. Long -term security guarantees can only be decided if there is an armistice or a peace agreement. Even under these conditions, however, he would put the use of German soldiers “under considerable reservations”, says Merz. “We have already said elsewhere, the German Bundestag has to agree.” It also depends on what type of agreement there is with Russia. “There are still many, many hurdles in the way, possibly for a long time.”

Söder directs the view of defensive refugees

Söder also suggested a discussion about dealing with Ukrainian refugees. “Peace is currently not foreseeable. It is therefore legitimate to think back to her home country to send back Ukrainians to ensure security in her own country,” said the CSU chairman.

Green boss: Söder should stay with the sausage dinner

Green boss Franziska Brantner accuses Söder Populism. “Populism on the back of Europe’s security is really the last one,” said the co-party chairman of the German Press Agency. After all, it is about the end of the war in Ukraine and what has to come afterwards. “Obviously, Söder doesn’t want peace,” added Brantner. Russian President Vladimir Putin is certainly happy about this. “Söder should stay with the sausage meal,” commented the Greens chairman, alluding to the Socia Media activities of the CSU chairman, which often deals with his favorite food.

SPD foreign politician finds a debate about German soldiers unnecessary

“I agree with the Bavarian Prime Minister: We shouldn’t take the third step before the first,” said the SPD’s foreign policy spokesman, Adis Ahmetović. A commitment of German soil troops is nothing that can be considered seriously. Because Russia is currently not ready to end the war and there is still no ceasefire. In addition, the concrete security guarantees of the United States are unclear, but the possibilities and scope of German engagement were unclear.

No deportations to the front

“But the point I am very irritated by Söder’s weird demand for deportations by Ukrainian refugees from our country to send them to the front,” Ahmetović told the dpa. The coalition should not have this discussion.

No more citizenship for people from Ukraine?

Söder also wants a different course when it comes to citizens’ money for Ukrainians in Germany. “Citizens’ allowance means that compared to other European countries, we have a significantly lower proportion of Ukrainians who are in the works. This urgently needs to be changed – not only for newly arriving Ukrainians,” said Söder.

According to plans by the black and red coalition, people from Ukraine who came to Germany and come to Germany after April 1, 2025 are no longer said to receive civil allowance, but lower benefits such as asylum seekers. Ukrainians came to Germany as an asylum seeker in the big escape movement after the Russian major attack on Ukraine 2022, but through a special rule. They were allowed to work immediately and, if they could not earn their livelihood, be entitled to citizenship.