Overview

• Ursula von der Leyen said Europe has “pretty precise” plans for a multinational post‑war deployment in Ukraine with an unspecified American “presence” as a backstop.
• She outlined possible U.S. roles in intelligence and command, while President Trump has ruled out American ground troops and left open support such as coordination or jets.
• German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized public discussion of troop plans before peace talks and argued the EU has no competence to deploy forces.
• The concept remains contentious across capitals, with France and the U.K. exploring options as countries including the U.S. and Poland reject sending soldiers.
• The Kremlin reiterated opposition to any Western troops in Ukraine, and shelling continues as talks show little progress despite recent Trump–Putin contacts.