NATO troops in Ukraine are unlikely, assures Söder in his take on security issues.

In the ongoing discourse regarding the Ukrainian refugee crisis and potential military intervention, several key figures in German politics have voiced their opinions.

Markus Söder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), has proposed a shift in the approach to Ukrainian refugees currently residing in Germany. From April 1, 2025, under plans from the black-red coalition government, people from Ukraine will no longer receive Bürgergeld (citizen's basic income) but only reduced benefits similar to those for asylum seekers. Söder suggests this change is aimed at increasing employment rates among Ukrainians in Germany.

However, the Green Party's leader, Franziska Brantner, has accused Söder of populism regarding Ukraine. In a sharp rebuke, she suggested he should focus on sausage eating instead of politics. Meanwhile, Adis Ahmetović, the SPD's foreign policy spokesman, agrees with Söder that Germany should not consider deploying troops without a ceasefire or peace agreement.

Söder has also expressed opposition to the deployment of the German military in Ukraine as part of security guarantees. He believes the German Armed Forces are not ready for deployment due to financial and personnel constraints. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, while not ruling out anything regarding military deployment in Ukraine, considers the discussion premature.

Söder has suggested reintroducing conscription to address the personnel shortage in the German Armed Forces. However, Merz has placed the deployment of German soldiers under significant reservations. There are no plans for direct NATO involvement in a troop that could secure a peace agreement.

In a controversial statement, Söder suggested discussing the handling of Ukrainian refugees, including the possibility of sending combat-capable Ukrainians back to their home country to ensure security there. This suggestion was met with criticism from various quarters, with Ahmetović finding it bizarre and inappropriate. He expressed concern that such a move could lead to a lower proportion of Ukrainians being employed compared to other European countries.

The debate continues, with the future of Ukrainian refugees and potential military intervention in Ukraine remaining contentious issues in German politics. A coalition of 30 countries, including European states, Japan, and Australia, has pledged their support for various initiatives, but the specifics of Germany's role remain undecided.