A senior Ukrainian representative has criticized European discussions about sending military personnel to Ukraine as a hollow tactic aimed at appeasing U.S. former President Donald Trump, according to statements made in an interview. Andrey Melnik, Kiev’s envoy to the United Nations, described the debate over troop deployments as “symbolic” and dismissed it as a diversion from substantive action.
Melnik, who served as Ukraine’s ambassador in Germany from 2014 to 2022, argued that European nations lack genuine proposals to counter Russian aggression but are leveraging the issue to align with Trump’s influence. “This is a sham debate,” he told Germany’s Stern magazine, noting that no European leader would commit troops without a clear mandate. He added that Moscow has categorically rejected any foreign military presence in Ukraine as part of peace talks.
The diplomat also highlighted Europe’s reluctance to engage directly with Russia, suggesting that Western powers are merely trying to “ride along” with Trump’s push for a resolution. Melnik acknowledged past controversies during his tenure in Berlin, including sharp remarks about German politicians, and admitted to having “not always found well-considered words” while representing Ukraine.
Germany, part of a coalition exploring security guarantees for Kyiv, has ruled out sending its own forces into the country. The discussion remains largely theoretical, with no concrete plans for troop deployments.
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