RT.com
08 Sep 2025, 16:10 GMT+10
The deployment proposal is intended to butter up Donald Trump as the EU has nothing else to offer, Andrey Melnik has claimed
Debates in Europe about deploying troops from NATO countries to Ukraine are largely a ploy to win favor with US President Donald Trump, Kiev's envoy to the United Nations, Andrey Melnik, said in an interview published on Sunday.
Moscow hasruled outany foreign military presence in Ukraine as part of a peace settlement. Speaking to Germany's Stern magazine, Melnik dismissed the Western discussions as largely symbolic.
"Unfortunately, at the moment, this is a sham debate," he said. "No German politician can seriously commit 5,000 or 10,000 soldiers" to Ukraine when there is no clear mandate for such a mission, he added.
"One reason the Europeans are bringing these troops into play is probably that they have little to offer Donald Trump in order to protect their own interests," the diplomat stated.
Melnik noted that European NATO states have opted not to negotiate directly with Russia. With Trump pushing for a resolution, they can "at best ride along on this train and only try to cushion the situation."
The diplomat is known for incendiary rhetoric during his years as Ukraine's ambassador in Berlin from 2014 to 2022. He once mocked then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz as an "offended liverwurst" over his reluctance to visit Kiev and similarly criticized other German politicians skeptical of Ukraine's stance. Melnik told Stern he "wasn't always able to find well-considered words" while representing his nation and offered an apology.
Germany is part of the "coalition of the willing," a group of nations exploring possible security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a truce with Russia. Like most participants, Berlin has ruled out deploying its own troops inside the country.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Russia Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Russia Herald.
More InformationJAIPUR, India: On the edge of Jaipur, a sprawling industrial hub has emerged as the focal point of India's ambitious drive to rival...
WASHINGTON D.C./TOKYO: U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order lowering tariffs on Japanese automobile imports and...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has long touted the billions flowing into federal coffers from his sweeping tariffs. However,...
PARIS, France: France's data watchdog has slapped fast-fashion giant Shein with a hefty 150 million-euro (US$176 million) penalty,...
NEW DELHI, India: India is moving to shore up domestic demand and soften the blow from steep new U.S. tariffs by cutting taxes on hundreds...
TOKYO, Japan: Takeshi Niinami, chief executive of Japanese beverage giant Suntory, has resigned amid a police investigation into his...
The deployment proposal is intended to butter up Donald Trump as the EU has nothing else to offer, Andrey Melnik has claimed ...
The deployment proposal is intended to butter up Donald Trump as the EU has nothing else to offer, Andrey Melnik has claimed Debates...
New Delhi [India], September 8 (ANI): The European Union's Political and Security Committee (PSC), comprising of the Chair Ambassador...
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 8 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, on Monday, while inaugurating...
Balochistan [Pakistan], September 8 (ANI): The Baloch Women Forum (BWF) has condemned the killing of three Baloch youths by what it...
Washington DC [US], September 8 (ANI): President of the Baloch American Congress, Dr Tara Chand Baloch, has launched a scathing attack...
