Berlin, 28 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) – US participation is essential for German troops to be deployed to secure a peace deal or ceasefire in Ukraine, Germany's likely future chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has said in remarks to a national newspaper.

Germany would have to hold discussions with its most important ally regarding a ceasefire, Merz told the Sunday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. "This is in any case not a task for Germany on its own," he said.

Asked whether a decision on German participation could be taken if there were adequate pledges from the United States, Merz said this was a prerequisite, without allowing himself to be drawn on the details. "It would be extremely foolish to speculate openly on this," he said.

Merz, whose conservative alliance emerged ahead in Sunday's parliamentary elections, said the issue did not require immediate decision, as Russia was not prepared to accept European troops on Ukrainian territory. But Germany would make its contribution to European security, he said.

Merz would also not say whether a government under his chancellorship would supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, as requested by Ukraine. The outgoing government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused the request for fear that Germany could be dragged into the war, but Merz has in the past indicated he is in favour.

While Ukraine should get the systems it needed, "whether this is Taurus or another system, has to be seen and agreed with European allies," he said in the remarks that were pre-released on Friday.

Photo: EPA