A senior German Social Democrat is urging caution regarding discussions about deploying international peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. Ralf Stegner, a foreign policy spokesperson for the SPD, stated in a television interview on Tuesday that security guarantees should not be “discussed on the open market” and cautioned against a “competition” of troop deployments. He characterized such proposals as a step too far in the current context.
Stegner advocated for the inclusion of international organizations, such as the United Nations or the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in any future framework for conflict resolution. He emphasized the need for international solutions focused on achieving a ceasefire, establishing security guarantees and ultimately drafting a peace treaty. He acknowledged these are complex challenges, but argued that greater international involvement would make any such arrangements more acceptable to all parties and more stable overall.
The very discussion of potential security guarantees, Stegner asserted, represents a positive development. He contrasted this with the current situation, characterized by ongoing conflict, significant casualties and a continuous flow of weapons without a clear pathway towards de-escalation or a peaceful resolution. He highlighted the absence, until now, of a tangible perspective for ending the hostilities.