Criticisms leveled by Pistorius towards von der Leyen's statements

Pistorius voices his disapproval toward Von der Leyen's remarks - Criticisms leveled by Pistorius toward Leyens' remarks

The European Union is currently embroiled in a debate over the potential deployment of a multinational force to Ukraine, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of Germany expressing criticism towards European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's statements on military security guarantees for the country.

During a visit to a defense company in Troisdorf, Pistorius voiced his concerns, stating that it is premature to discuss publicly the possibility of a multinational force deployment to Ukraine at this point in time. His comments came in response to media reports that von der Leyen had discussed a roadmap for such a deployment.

According to reports, European military commanders have outlined detailed plans for deploying multinational troops in Ukraine, involving over 10,000 soldiers. One group would be dedicated to training and support, while another would serve as a deterrent force against future Russian incursions. These plans were announced around early September 2025, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming the discussions at a meeting of the "coalition of the willing" in Paris on September 4, 2025.

However, it is important to note that the European Union has no responsibilities or competencies regarding the deployment of troops. This means that any potential deployment would require the approval and cooperation of member states.

Pistorius further emphasized that he would refrain from confirming or commenting on considerations regarding the deployment of troops by the European Union. He believes that it is fundamentally wrong to discuss military security guarantees for Ukraine before sitting at the negotiating table.

The discussion about the deployment of a multinational force to Ukraine is taking place in the context of ongoing considerations about what is possible, what is not, and under what conditions and reservations something might be conceivable.

Ukraine is demanding security guarantees against Russian attacks as part of a potential peace solution. The country has been embroiled in a conflict with Russia since 2014, leading to a significant loss of life and displacement of people.

The criticism from Pistorius marks a rare public disagreement between a member of the German government and the European Commission President. Pistorius, a member of the SPD (Social Democratic Party) in Germany, and von der Leyen have previously worked together in various capacities, including when von der Leyen served as Germany's Federal Minister of Defense from 2019 to 2021.

As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, it is likely that the debate over military security guarantees and potential troop deployments will continue to be a topic of discussion among European policymakers.