Germany sending soldiers to Ukraine - Troops from Germany headed to Ukraine, announced publicly
In the ongoing discussions surrounding Western security guarantees for Ukraine, Germany has officially ruled out deploying troops to the conflict-ridden country. This was confirmed by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul during a recent statement on August 18, 2025.
Wadephul emphasized that Germany will not send forces to Ukraine, citing capacity constraints and the existing deployment of a Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania as reasons for this decision. He stated, "The deployment of German soldiers to Ukraine is a remote question that needs to be negotiated."
However, within Germany, there is some discussion from military associations. The German Reservist Association has expressed conditional openness to deploying troops to a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, but only under strict conditions, including having a demilitarized buffer zone far enough from Russian forces—something Russia currently refuses. They also emphasize that a European peacekeeping force would need to outnumber Russian forces, which seems unlikely at present.
Meanwhile, other NATO countries like the UK signal readiness to deploy troops if a ceasefire occurs.
In contrast, German military preparations are focusing heavily on preparing domestic municipalities for a possible escalation of war in Europe rather than troop deployment abroad. This is part of Operation OPLAN DEU, a comprehensive plan designed to ensure the security and defense of Germany.
Despite rising military aid and discussions about security guarantees, no concrete plans or deployments have been announced by Germany. The topic remains sensitive and heavily dependent on the future political-military situation on the ground.
Wadephul's comments come as a meeting in Washington is scheduled to take place later that evening, involving US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and other European heads of state and government. The focus of the meeting will be key aspects of a joint position towards Russia.
Wadephul, who is currently in Tokyo, stressed the importance of "standing by the side of Ukraine" during the meeting in Washington. He also mentioned that negotiations should take place on an equal footing.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has succeeded in bringing all Europeans together and uniting them, even with different interests and nuances behind the Ukraine, as Wadephul pointed out. The meeting between the leaders will mark a significant step towards a unified Western stance on the ongoing conflict.
In conclusion, while Germany has ruled out troop deployment to Ukraine, the situation remains fluid, and discussions continue to evolve. The focus for Germany remains on ensuring the security and defense of its homeland, as demonstrated by Operation OPLAN DEU.
- The ongoing discussions about Western security guarantees for Ukraine involve debates on various policies, including community policy and politics, as leaders consider potential employment policies for peacekeeping missions.
- Amidst the evolving discussions about troop deployment, general news reports mention the German Reservist Association's conditional openness to troops' deployment, provided there is a demilitarized buffer zone and a European peacekeeping force outnumbers Russian forces.
