Germany’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, has criticized Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, over her plans to deploy European troops in Ukraine.

On Sunday, August 31, von der Leyen revealed that Europe is considering a multinational deployment to the conflict-ridden country as part of security guarantees aimed at maintaining peace between Russia and Ukraine.

However, during a visit to a Cologne ammunition factory on Monday, September 1, Pistorius told reporters, “Those are things that you don’t discuss before you sit down at the negotiating table with many parties that have a say in the matter.”

He further stated, “I would know better than to comment or confirm such considerations in any way, apart from the fact that the European Union has no mandate or competency whatsoever when it comes to positioning troops.”

Pistorius also expressed his disapproval of discussing this publicly at this stage, saying, “I think it is totally wrong to discuss this publicly at this stage.”

The question of troop deployment is a contentious issue in Germany, with an August survey revealing that 49% of Germans support the idea of German soldiers being part of a European peacekeeping force. However, in the eastern regions of the country, 45% are against such a move.

In other news, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday that the Trump administration is taking into account the Kremlin’s reasons for its invasion of Ukraine. He asserted that Moscow and Washington have reached a “mutual understanding” regarding the conflict.

Regarding potential post-war security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent another Russian invasion, Putin suggested that there might be room for agreement. However, he did not provide further details.

While Putin reaffirmed that Moscow will not accept Ukraine joining NATO, he also mentioned that he had never opposed Ukraine‘s membership in the European Union.

Russia could face punitive measures from President Trump, who has expressed his dissatisfaction with Putin’s lack of involvement in a US-led peace initiative. He has warned of “severe consequences.”

Ending the three-year war is one of the diplomatic priorities of the US leader, who hosted Putin at a summit in Alaska last month.