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A “bluff-and-pray” approach could increase the risk of escalation, he said.
A “bluff-and-pray” approach could increase the risk of escalation, he said.
What is happening?
European NATO leaders should stop underestimating the scale of commitment needed for any future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, says the head of Germany’s military union.
Tens of thousands of troops
Colonel André Wüstner told Reuters that tens of thousands of troops may be required for the long haul, and leaders must be honest about the scale and risk involved.
No U.S. troops, but pressure builds in Europe
While U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv, he’s made it clear that U.S. troops won’t be part of any deployment.
This leaves European powers to take the lead in any post-conflict security arrangement—a challenge they may not be fully prepared for.
Macron, Starmer, and Merz signal willingness
French President Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer have both publicly supported sending troops to Ukraine as part of a future settlement.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also indicated openness to the idea, potentially placing Germany alongside France and the UK in a new coalition of the willing.
German Army Union: Don’t sugarcoat the challenge
Colonel Wüstner, who represents over 200,000 active and retired German troops, urged leaders to be realistic.
“It won’t be enough to have a handful of generals and small units manning a command post,” he told Reuters.
A serious, long-term presence would be essential if the West is to guarantee peace.
A message to Putin: Backed by force
Wüstner emphasized that any security guarantees for Ukraine must be credible and clearly backed by international military support.
“From the start, it must be clear to Putin that we are deadly serious—about Ukraine’s security, about a ceasefire, and about responding to any future aggression,” he said.
Bluffing is not an option
Adopting a “bluff-and-pray” strategy, Wüstner cautioned, would be not only naïve but dangerous.
He argued such an approach would invite further escalation and instability, leaving Ukraine and Europe more vulnerable in the long run.
The 10,000-troop estimate for key nations
Wüstner estimated that major contributors like the UK, France, and Germany would each need to commit at least 10,000 troops to Ukraine if peacekeeping efforts were to be taken seriously.
This, he noted, would place enormous strain on countries already grappling with underfunded and overstretched militaries.
Europe’s military shortcomings exposed
Despite promises made at the last NATO summit, European nations continue to struggle to meet new defense commitments, highlighting just how far they are from independent military capability.
A wake-up call for NATO’s European arm
According to Wüstner, this moment should serve as a catalyst for action.
He urged European NATO members to accelerate rearmament and bolster the continent’s contribution to the alliance—steps he sees as vital if Europe is to play a serious role in future security arrangements.
Readiness, not rhetoric
As talk of peace plans and troop commitments gains momentum, Wüstner’s message is clear:
Europe must shift from rhetoric to readiness. Only through a serious, coordinated military effort can NATO guarantee stability in post-war Ukraine and deter future aggression.
