Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The chance of guaranteeing security for Ukraine after the ceasefire is still long-term, but Germany emphasized that the scheme being discussed by the United States and European countries could include the use of peacekeeping forces to deal with Russian violations, if a peace deal is actually realized.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said under post-ceasefire guarantees provided by the United States and Europe, peacekeepers could potentially act actively to contain or expel Russian troops under certain conditions.
Merz made this statement in an interview with German public television, ZDFwhile emphasizing that this scenario is still far from being realized.
Answering a question about the details of the security guarantees the United States discussed at a meeting in Berlin on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Merz said the guarantors must be ready to act if Russia violates the terms of the ceasefire.
“We will secure the demilitarized zone between the conflicting parties and, to be more specific, we will also act against corresponding Russian incursions and attacks. However, we have not yet reached that stage,” said Merz, quoted Wednesday (17/12/2025).
He considered the commitment shown by Washington as an important development. “The fact that America has made such a commitment, protecting Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire as if it were NATO territory, I think is a very significant new position from the United States,” he said.
Until now, Russia has not agreed to the ceasefire that the US and Europe say is a prerequisite for providing security guarantees. Moscow has also not agreed to the presence of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine to help end the full-scale war that began when President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In the same interview, Merz also touched on the debate over the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defense. He estimates the chances of reaching an agreement at European level are in the range of “50:50”.
According to Merz, this step is crucial considering that Ukraine will need at least two more years of funding after the current European funding package ends in the first quarter of 2026.
“There are objections across Europe, and I can understand those objections,” he said. “But … if we don’t act now and make the decisions we can to stop the advance of the Russian army, then when will we do it?”
Merz also responded to the tough tone towards Europe in the United States’ latest National Security Strategy. He said the stance did not surprise him, as it was in line with criticism previously made by US Vice President JD Vance in his speech at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year.
(luc/luc)
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
