Assurances Regarding Ukraine's Safety

Germany has announced its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul leading the campaign. However, the decision to provide security guarantees for Ukraine has sparked a heated debate within the German government.

In a speech manuscript, Wadephul stated that Germany would contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine. Yet, the nature of these guarantees remains unclear, with no specific details provided by either Wadephul or Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Markus Söder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), opposes the deployment of German troops as part of these security guarantees. He believes that NATO troops would not be stationed in Ukraine due to the potential political risks and overburdening of the military.

Despite Söder's opposition, various German government representatives have discussed the possibility of deploying Bundeswehr troops in Ukraine. The complexity and need for intensive coordination, especially with the US, have been highlighted. However, the German government remains cautious, with Merz not ruling out any possibilities regarding Germany's role in security guarantees for Ukraine.

Wadephul has been attempting to dispel doubts about Germany's involvement, emphasising the importance of taking responsibility for their own security. He stated, "It's up to us. We must take much more responsibility for our own security."

The comments were made to the "Rheinische Post." Wadephul also expressed concerns about Russia's aggressive behaviour, stating that the country will continue to direct it even more strongly against Germany. He believes that Germany belongs at the UN Security Council as one of the central European weights.

Meanwhile, Wadephul has criticised the current state of the Security Council, stating that it is blocked and disputes, not decisions, are made there. He also expressed his concern about the damage being done to international law and the tottering of multilateralism.

Three weeks after the Alaska summit, Wadephul concluded that Russia is using every excuse to continue its war and avoid a three-way summit. He also highlighted that access to decisions, formats, and information is a benefit of membership in the UN Security Council.

The access to the UN Security Council will remain open even years after Germany's membership, providing the opportunity for Germany to contribute to global security and diplomacy. The outcome of the bid remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the debate over Ukraine security guarantees will continue to shape Germany's foreign policy in the coming months.