A leading figure in Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has welcomed the planned accompaniment of prominent European political leaders, including CDU leader Friedrich Merz, to the upcoming meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C..
Roderich Kiesewetter, a CDU foreign policy spokesperson, described the move as “important and sensible” to deter any potential imposition of unfavorable terms upon Ukraine. He emphasized the need for a firm European stance towards Russia. Kiesewetter also urged consideration of proactive measures, specifically suggesting national-level executive decisions to potentially secure a currently improbable ceasefire with independent troop deployments.
However, he maintained that lasting security for Ukraine fundamentally relies on NATO membership. The former Bundeswehr Colonel explicitly advocated for a permanent troop presence to guarantee that security and stated Germany, as Europe’s economic powerhouse, should contribute to this effort and assume a leading role. Kiesewetter anticipates that Europe will seek assurances from the United States regarding nuclear protection in return for such a commitment.