UPDATE - German chancellor rules out deploying troops to Ukraine

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM SCHOLZ, ADDS DETAILS

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday ruled out sending German troops to Ukraine and emphasized that his government will refrain from actions that could trigger a conflict between NATO and Russia.

“It is out of the question for us to send troops, or German soldiers to Ukraine in the current situation,” Scholz told lawmakers. “I have always made that clear, and that remains the case.”

The chancellor's remarks came during a parliamentary question-and-answer session and aimed at clarifying Berlin’s position after Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's recent comments led to media speculation.

Scholz explained that Baerbock's earlier remarks about a potential peacekeeping role in Ukraine, where the Russian war started in February 2022, had been apparently misinterpreted by some media outlets.

“She was asked what could happen in a (future) peace phase, and actually she tried to answer this without saying yes or no. Because it’s quite inappropriate to speculate now about what would happen later in the event of a negotiated cease-fire,” Scholz said.

The German leader emphasized that his government's policy remains unchanged, focusing on supporting Ukraine while avoiding any direct military confrontation between NATO and Russia.

“We are in agreement with the minister of defense and the foreign minister that we must do everything to ensure that this war does not become a war between Russia and NATO. And that is why sending ground troops is out of the question for me in this war situation,” he stressed.

The chancellor also briefed lawmakers on his recent visit to Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discussed frontline developments, and explored challenges and prospects for peace.

Scholz reiterated that Berlin will continue its support for Kyiv, emphasizing that Germany is Ukraine's second-largest military supporter after the US, with contributions totaling €28 billion ($29.5 billion). However, he rejected opposition parties' calls to supply long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

“I will continue to do everything I can to prevent this war from escalating into a war between Russia and NATO,” Scholz said. “That is why my decision remains unchanged. It is right not to allow the dangerous weapons we have supplied to be used for strikes on the Russian hinterland. And the same applies concerning the cruise missiles which is so often discussed.”

As one of Ukraine's largest military supporters, Germany has focused heavily on strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities. The country's military assistance package includes Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, which have proven effective against aerial threats, Patriot missile systems that provide crucial long-range air defense, and the advanced IRIS-T air defense systems that help protect Ukrainian cities from missile attacks.