The problem of alleged volunteer coalitions has always been not what they consider or promise Ukraine, but what they actually do – the German diary Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), commenting on the Paris talks on safety guarantees for Kiev. "This has been mentioned in Europe for months. But now it's time to make a decision. For this purpose, a gathering convened by French president Emmanuel Macron was held in Paris on Thursday (04.09.2025),” writes commentator Hubert Wetzel.
It points out that Macron's assessment of serious safety guarantees include sending western troops to Ukraine – not for the intent of fighting but at least for training Ukrainian forces. Then the U.S. armed forces could supply any support, for example by assisting in reconnaissance and air defense. "This would be a much bigger contribution from America than Europe initially feared. However, it is simply a condition for Europeans to commit now and here who will send a number of soldiers – not ‘could’, ‘want’ or ‘send’, but ‘send’ – writes Wetzel.
It states that speaking about "Europeans" in practice means France, Britain and Germany, or political and military powers in Europe. Therefore, in fresh months, "London, Paris and Berlin have agreed that each will contribute about 1 3rd to the (western) armed forces in Ukraine. This would be joined by quotas of smaller countries," writes the writer “SZ”.
Merz does not want to hear about the Bundeswehr in Ukraine
"It has so far seemed that the German government has complied with this agreement. However, for a fewer days now, the Chancellor clearly has no longer wanted to hear about it. Suddenly, he argues that there is no way to send the Bundeswehr, due to the fact that there is no ceasefire, there is no clarity about the American contribution, there is no Moscow approval. As for German soldiers in Ukraine, he has ‘serious reservations’, says “Sueddeutsche Zeitung”.
As the diary estimates, it may be possible to realize this attitude from the point of view of interior politics, due to the fact that coalitions – chadeci and social democrats – feel the breath of rivals, AfD and Left who would gladly make sending the Bundeswehr to Ukraine the subject of an election campaign. "It is not known whether the coalition would have a majority supporting the Bundeswehr mandate. So it can be understood that Merz, now that the situation is getting serious, is feverishly withdrawing from his words," writes the commentator “SZ”.
"But if – and, in the case of Merz, you never know – this truly remained Berlin's last word, the harm to abroad policy would be disastrous," says Hubert Wetzel. "Then the full safety warrant plan could collapse. Germany would become an untrustworthy partner, and Merz would be the chancellor who wants to shift risky existential decisions for Europe to partners so as not to lose local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia. possibly this would save respective mayoral positions in Sauerland. However, the ambition of leadership in Europe and for Europe would be buried in this way," he criticises "SZ".
Decision in due time
The weekly “Der Spiegel” informs, citing government sources in Berlin, that Germany has agreed to increase the possible of Ukrainian air defence again. Furthermore, the government in Germany supports the improvement and production of precision weapons specified as maneuvering missiles. Moreover, the national Republic of Germany is ready to supply Ukraine with equipment for 4 mechanized infantry brigades. This means almost 500 vehicles per year.
"The Chancellor confirmed that Germany will decide on military engagement in due time erstwhile the framework conditions are clarified. This concerns, among another things, the nature and scope of the US commitment and the result of the negotiation process. The Bundestag will decide about the national mandate. According to the national Government, Ukraine is not militarily dependent on European states sending troops. The contact line will inactive should be secured by the Ukrainian army," says Spiegel.
“trap” for Russia
According to the German sources cited by the weekly, the intent of the western military presence would be to make a kind of "trap", that is, in the case of Russia's re-attack, it would besides affect soldiers from European countries and the countries sending troops would supply military aid to Ukraine. “One of the scenarios developed by the military provides for the creation of alleged reinsurance forces,” we read.
The training of the Ukrainian army is besides expected to be importantly expanded. Countries of the ‘voluntary coalition’ would besides send their own soldiers to Ukraine, but they would most likely make training camps far beyond the front line. It would require respective twelve 1000 soldiers from European countries to carry out specified a mission.
‘For Germany, the training option would be feasible,’ says Spiegel. The Bundeswehr brigade is already training Ukrainian soldiers in Germany. Military officials say that 90 000 trained recruits per year can be increased to 150 000. This would require additional staff, which could besides be deployed in countries neighbouring Ukraine, for example in Poland.
FAZ: Unreal scenario
In turn, ‘Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung’ (FAZ) estimates that the current script of sending western forces to Ukraine inactive seems to be ‘unreal’.
"It is rather reasonable that the ‘coalition of willing’ discusses how it can contribute to ensuring a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine. The main addressee of specified considerations is president Donald Trump: he must be persuaded that Europeans are willing to do everything in their power to guarantee peace on their continent. Only then is there a chance that the United States will besides engage militarily in ensuring the safety of Ukraine" – says commentator in “FAZ” Reinhard Veser.
In his opinion, it would besides not hurt to have circumstantial ideas about peace forces if there was a chance of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
"However, 1 must not forget how improbable this is at the moment. There is no indication that Vladimir Putin is willing to accept anything another than the surrender of Ukraine. The Kremlin besides clearly states that it does not even want to hear about the presence of Western armed forces in Ukraine. He will step down from that position at most if he is under specified force that he sees no another option. Therefore, much more crucial than working on a completely unrealistic script of sending peacekeeping forces is to increase support for Ukraine through arms supplies and financial assistance," says the writer "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung".
