Friedrich Merz, the candidate for the German chancellorship from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has been urged to adopt a bolder stance in supporting Ukraine compared to current Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, head of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence, stated that Merz has the potential to become a great chancellor if he diverges from Scholz's approach. She emphasized that wavering support for Ukraine could diminish his leadership.
In Ukraine, a recent survey indicates that 57% of citizens are willing to endure the ongoing war for as long as necessary, a decline from 73% recorded a year prior. The poll, conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, revealed that 18% of respondents are prepared to tolerate the conflict for just a few more months, while a significant portion remains uncertain about the duration of their patience.
In Germany, public support for deploying international peacekeeping forces to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire stands at 56%. However, only 23% of respondents favor the involvement of German troops in such a mission, with 33% opposed. The survey was conducted by YouGov and reflects a growing reluctance among the public regarding military involvement.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly opposed discussions about peacekeeping forces, citing the absence of conditions for a ceasefire. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius echoed this sentiment, suggesting that conversations regarding peacekeepers should occur only after ceasefire terms are established. Meanwhile, Merz contends that any deployment of German peacekeepers would require an international mandate and consensus with Russia.