Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party (EPP), has proposed deploying German soldiers under the European Union flag to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement. Weber argues that Europe must take responsibility for Ukraine’s security rather than relying solely on U.S. forces, according to reporting by European Pravda.
European Flag as a Symbol of Security
Weber emphasized that soldiers should display the European flag on their uniforms while working alongside Ukrainian forces to secure peace. “After a ceasefire or peace agreement, the European flag must fly along the security line,” Weber said.
He argued that it would be unrealistic to expect a peaceful settlement in Ukraine to rely only on American soldiers, stressing that Germany cannot stand aside if European troops are to be deployed. The proposal aligns with broader EU discussions about creating multinational forces for Ukraine, composed of volunteers from countries participating in the Coalition of the Willing and supported by the United States.
New EU Security Strategy
Weber also called on the European Union to develop a new security strategy in response to what he sees as Washington’s retreat from European affairs. “We must stop shaping our policy based on documents from Washington,” he said, urging the EU to write its own security strategy, test Europe’s security architecture, and act confidently.
The move comes amid discussions over expanding the EU’s role in defense and security, including proposals to strengthen the EU’s own NATO-like capabilities. Weber has previously stated that Europe can no longer rely fully on the United States for security, a stance that has been met with caution by NATO leadership.
NATO Perspective
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded to Weber’s proposal by emphasizing that despite U.S. policy shifts, Europe does not need to act entirely independently in defense matters. He highlighted that the United States expects Europe to take more responsibility and contribute more resources, but cooperation alongside the U.S. remains essential for NATO solidarity.
German Defense Minister’s View
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has expressed caution regarding a European military role in Ukraine, noting that the situation would depend heavily on Russian actions, particularly those of Vladimir Putin. Nonetheless, the EU-led multinational force concept has been under discussion among European countries and institutions since mid-December, following agreements to create volunteer units under European coordination.
