Friedrich Merz Calls for Ukraine Peacekeeping Force with Clear Legal Mandate

The German opposition leader emphasizes the need for international consensus, including Russia, while addressing potential shifts in U.S. Ukraine policy under Trump.

• Friedrich Merz, the German opposition leader and CDU chief, insists that any German participation in a Ukraine peacekeeping force requires an unambiguous international legal mandate, ideally agreed upon with Russia.
• Merz underscores that peace in Ukraine must not be imposed on the country and should address broader European security concerns, including hybrid threats like cyberattacks attributed to Russia.
• He reiterates that Germany will not become a combatant in the Ukraine conflict but supports supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, aligning with actions by the U.S., France, and the UK.
• Merz urges the EU and NATO, particularly in collaboration with the UK, to prepare strategies for potential policy shifts in U.S. Ukraine support following Donald Trump's upcoming presidency.
• He rejects the need for a new special fund for Ukraine aid or defense spending, advocating instead for financing through Germany's existing budget while meeting NATO's 2% GDP defense commitment.

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