Skip to content

SPD Minister Ralf Stegner expresses opposition to rivalry over military troop deployment in Ukraine

SPD foreign policy representative Ralf Stegner advocates for caution in the public discussion regarding peacekeeping forces for Ukraine. Security assurances, according to Stegner, should not be treated as commodities up for negotiation. As he said to the news outlet 'World' on Tuesday, "I don't...

SPD's foreign minister Ralf Stegner opposes rivalry over deploying troops in Ukraine
SPD's foreign minister Ralf Stegner opposes rivalry over deploying troops in Ukraine

SPD Minister Ralf Stegner expresses opposition to rivalry over military troop deployment in Ukraine

In an interview with "Welt" on Tuesday, SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner expressed his opposition to the deployment of German troops as peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. Citing both political and historical reasons, Stegner urged Germany to stay out of military involvement in the conflict-ridden country.

Stegner's comments highlight the complexity of the peacekeeping mission and the need for careful consideration and international collaboration. He warned that sending German soldiers to Ukraine is "extremely difficult, also for historical reasons," and rejected the idea that Germany can simply participate in such missions without broad security guarantees and international consensus.

Regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, Stegner emphasized the need for strong and reliable guarantees, particularly from the United States, before Germany or the EU specify their support or involvement. This suggests he sees security guarantees as a fundamental prerequisite for any peace or stabilization efforts.

While the interview did not quote Stegner directly on the role of international organizations like the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the general context of the debate implies that any peacekeeping efforts would be underlined by multinational cooperation and responsibility, likely involving such organizations. Germany's cautious stance, as expressed by Stegner, aligns with the view that peacekeeping or security guarantees should be embedded in broad, multilateral frameworks rather than unilateral or purely national actions.

Stegner's comments do not indicate support for the current status quo of the war in Ukraine. Instead, they suggest a call for action to end the war and find a lasting peace. He is critical of the continued delivery of weapons to Ukraine without a resolution in sight and is against a competition based on troop presence in Ukraine, stating that it could lead to further escalation.

Stegner's views indicate a concern for the human toll of the war in Ukraine. He believes that the current situation, with the war progressing daily and many victims, is better than the status quo of the past three years. His stance on the issue underscores the importance of international solutions for conflict resolution, ceasefire, security guarantees, and a peace treaty in Ukraine.

In summary, Ralf Stegner's comments suggest a preference for diplomatic and multilateral approaches over military solutions in the Ukraine conflict. His views provide insights into the SPD's foreign policy stance on the Ukraine conflict and underscore the need for a more proactive approach to ending the war and finding a lasting peace.

Read also:

Latest