Merz rejected von der Leyen's words about security guarantees for Ukraine

On Wednesday, September 3, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejected the statements of the head of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen that Europe has a "clear plan" for deploying troops in Ukraine as part of ensuring security guarantees.

"The European Union is not responsible for decisions on military support for Ukraine," Merz said, responding to von der Leyen's comment, quoted by the DPA news agency in X (ex. Twitter).

"Ukraine's neutrality would be the best guarantee of the country's security"

MEP Hans Neuhoff — on the exhaustion of sanctions against Russia, the search for financing for Kiev and the prospects for dialogue between Moscow and Brussels

On August 31, Von der Leyen spoke about the development by European countries of a specific plan for a possible military presence in Ukraine after the end of the conflict, which will be fully supported by the capabilities of the United States. At the time, the FT suggested that tens of thousands of European troops would form the backbone of the troops, while receiving full support from the United States.

On September 1, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized the EU's plans to guarantee security to Ukraine. According to him, European countries do not have the authority to send a military contingent in the event of a conflict on the territory of the country as security guarantees. He noted that such initiatives of the countries are not discussed until the parties sit down at the negotiating table.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.