Germany's Merz sceptical about European peacekeeping army for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed scepticism over a proposal by Manfred Weber, President of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), suggesting that a joint European army could play a role in post-war peacekeeping in Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Politico, Brussels-based politics and policy news organisation

Details: Over recent weeks, Weber has put forward several ambitious proposals aimed at increasing the EU's influence on the global stage. In addition to deploying troops under a "European flag" in Ukraine, he called for a single European leadership role by merging the positions of president of the European Council and president of the European Commission.

Merz welcomed Weber's efforts to reform the EU when speaking at an informal EPP summit in Zagreb but noted that these ideas are not an immediate solution to Europe's current challenges.

"We must focus on the tasks at hand right now," Merz said when asked about Weber's initiatives.

He added that he sees no issue with repeatedly raising institutional questions about strengthening and unifying Europe, emphasising that "these are questions that need to be discussed again and again".

However, Merz showed little enthusiasm for pursuing the radical EU reforms that Weber's proposals might require. "Achieving treaty changes in this European Union of 27 is a rather difficult task," he said.

He also noted that such reforms could improve defence capabilities but might reduce the continent's industrial competitiveness.

Although Merz is cautious about Weber's European army proposal, his government still has to decide on the deployment of German peacekeepers to Ukraine. While Berlin has been less proactive than the UK and France in raising the issue, Merz stressed: "We are not ruling anything out in principle."

Germany also highlights that it already acts as a guarantor of regional security on the border with Russia, having deployed nearly 5,000 troops in Lithuania and conducting air policing missions across Eastern Europe.

When asked about Merz's scepticism, Weber said: "We are in dialogue. We are in discussion."

Background:

• Recently, Weber called for the creation of a "European NATO", arguing that the EU can no longer rely unconditionally on the US.
• In response, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that despite the current policies of US President Donald Trump's administration, the EU should not entirely abandon defence cooperation with Washington.

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