German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has openly criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for suggesting that the European Union has the authority to deploy troops to Ukraine. Pistorius argued that the EU has no jurisdiction or competence in such matters, and that the discussions about potential deployments should remain private. This rare public rebuke comes after von der Leyen claimed that officials in EU member states had been working on “pretty precise plans” for a multinational force deployment to Ukraine once the conflict is resolved. She also stated that the plan was backed by US President Donald Trump.
Pistorius, speaking to reporters during a visit to an arms manufacturer near Cologne, said it was “completely wrong” to publicly discuss potential troop deployments or any other military security measures for Ukraine. He emphasized that the EU has no legal or administrative power to make such decisions, and that the deliberations should be kept confidential. The minister also noted that various parties are still debating what might be possible, under what conditions, and what kind of reservations would need to be in place before any such deployment could be considered.
Earlier reports from the Financial Times indicated that the United States had signaled its support for an EU-led multinational military force, offering “strategic enablers” such as US aircraft, logistics, and radar systems to support a European-enforced no-fly zone and an air shield for Ukraine. However, the Pentagon has described these reported assistance measures as “pre-decisional” and has not yet confirmed their involvement in any formal decision-making process.
In response, Russia has reiterated its rejection of any foreign military intervention in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking late in August, warned that any troop deployment by NATO members would only escalate the conflict. He emphasized that security guarantees must be subject to consensus and that foreign military intervention is “absolutely unacceptable” according to Moscow’s stance.
While the conflict in Ukraine continues to dominate international diplomatic discussions, the disagreement over military involvement is highlighting deepening divisions among European powers. The debate over troop deployments remains a significant topic in the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the war.