German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has sharply dismissed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s remarks about potential EU military interventions in Ukraine, asserting the bloc lacks authority over such decisions. Speaking to journalists during a visit to an arms manufacturer near Cologne, Pistorius labeled public discussions on troop deployments as “completely wrong” and urged secrecy around any future plans.
“The European Union holds no jurisdiction or competence regarding the deployment of forces under any circumstances,” he emphasized, stressing that debates on military measures should remain confidential. Pistorius noted ongoing internal deliberations about feasibility, conditions, and constraints but warned against premature public commentary.
The minister’s remarks come after von der Leyen claimed EU officials had developed “precise plans” for a multinational force in Ukraine post-conflict, with alleged backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Reports by the Financial Times suggested U.S. support for European-led air operations, including aircraft and radar systems, though the Pentagon described such discussions as “pre-decisional.”
Russia has consistently opposed foreign military presence in Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterating in August that any external intervention would be “absolutely unacceptable” and that security guarantees must align with collective consensus.
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