Ukraine will need strong armed forces and security guarantees after the conclusion of any peace agreement with Russia, and Kiev should not be forced to cede territory, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, Reuters reported.
Merz stressed that both European and Ukrainian security interests are at stake here and that the issue of guarantees is being discussed with the United States and Ukraine.
"Ukraine needs strong armed forces even if a peace agreement is reached. "Ukraine will continue to need strong armed forces and reliable security guarantees from its partners," Merz said at a press conference.
The most important guarantee, he said, is a well-armed Ukrainian army.
"That is why we are also discussing the size of the Ukrainian army in the future," Merz said, adding that it is too early to discuss the deployment of foreign troops on the territory of Ukraine.
European Union countries are insisting that the limit on the size of the Ukrainian army be raised to 800,000 soldiers, not 600,000 - as currently described in the plan.
Merz stressed that Ukraine should not be forced to accept territorial concessions and that the front line should be the starting point for any negotiations.