Saxon State Premier Michael Kretschmer has voiced opposition to the deployment of German ground troops in Ukraine. “German soldiers fighting in Ukraine should not be on the table” the CDU politician stated in an interview with “Der Spiegel”.
Kretschmer argued that Germany is not presently equipped to guarantee Ukraine’s security. “The Bundeswehr lacks the prerequisites for this” he said, adding that experience dictates “one should only present oneself as strong as one actually is.
He emphasized the need for a robust European security architecture, coupled with security guarantees from the United States. Kretschmer believes Europe must invest in its own security to deter future aggression against both the EU and Ukraine.
Regarding potential public anxieties surrounding the issue, Kretschmer stated his position is not dictated by fear. “If something is right, one must explain it and advocate for acceptance. Then it will also be possible to alleviate people’s fears” he said. “In this case, however, I consider the matter to be wrong and do not see any justification for pursuing this course”.