Germany's Merz: Western troops in Ukraine will be able to resist Russians

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Western peacekeepers, as envisaged under security guarantees from Europe and the United States, could resist Russian forces under certain circumstances.

Source: Reuters, citing Merz in an interview with ZDF public television on Tuesday 17 December, as reported by European Pravda

Details: When asked by journalists about possible security guarantees offered by the US during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, Merz replied that the guarantors will have to repel Russian forces in the event of any ceasefire violation.

"We would secure a demilitarised zone between the warring parties and, to be very specific, we would also act against corresponding Russian incursions and attacks. We're not there yet," he said.

"The fact that the Americans have made such a commitment – to protect Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire as if it were NATO territory – I think that's a remarkable new position for the United States of America," he added.

Background:

• The creation of defence forces to ensure a potential ceasefire in Ukraine was proposed at the European leaders' meeting in Berlin on Monday 15 December.
• The joint statement said that forces under European command, supported by the US, will back Ukraine's armed forces and secure Ukraine's skies and seas.
• Zelenskyy previously noted that there has been "serious progress" in discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine.

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