German defence minister 'irritated' by debate on Ukraine peacekeeping

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday became the latest high-ranking figure in Berlin to slam the European discussion on sending peacekeepers to Ukraine, calling the debate premature amid the ongoing conflict, reported dpa.

After similar comments from Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in the past two days, Pistorius said he was "irritated that all kinds of Europeans are now rushing ahead and saying what they are prepared to do or not do."

As the largest NATO member in Europe, Germany would certainly "participate in any meaningful peacekeeping measure," Pistorius told broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

But the defence minister argued that Europe must keep its cards close to its chest and develop a united position ahead of potential talks to end the war in Ukraine between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Pistorius said he would not "tell Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin what I am prepared to do" before negotiations, criticizing comments from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer promising to provide UK troops to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

"The time to discuss it publicly is not now," he added.

Political leaders in Berlin have been reluctant to be drawn on the issue of sending German troops to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine just days ahead of national elections, amid accusations from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) that the Scholz administration is risking war with Moscow.

The chancellor described the debate as "irritating" and "completely premature" on Monday following a summit of European leaders in Paris.