As talk of European “boots on the ground” in Ukraine gathers momentum among some allies, Germany and Finland are charting cautious and notably different courses. While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has not ruled out participation in a peacekeeping force, he faces fierce domestic backlash and questions over the Bundeswehr’s readiness. Finland, by contrast, has announced it will not send combat units, restricting its role to technical specialists and civilian experts, according to parliamentary foreign affairs chief Johannes Koskinen.

Germany: Political storm and military limits

Merz emphasized that any deployment of German soldiers would need both European coordination and Bundestag approval—no easy task for a leader whose appointment passed only narrowly. Opposition parties and coalition allies have pushed back sharply. Far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel branded the idea “dangerous and irresponsible,” while Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that sending troops “would probably overwhelm us.”

Historical memory of Germany’s militaristic past, coupled with recent unpopular missions in Afghanistan and Mali, makes troop deployments a particularly sensitive issue. Analysts caution that Berlin risks overstretching a neglected army and inflaming domestic discontent as billions are already spent on Ukraine aid.

Finland: A restrained contribution

In Helsinki, Johannes Koskinen made clear Finland would not consider a large-scale deployment of troops to Ukraine. Instead, Finland’s contribution would be limited to “technical staff and experts,” signaling a preference for non-combat involvement in any future peacekeeping arrangement. The position reflects Finland’s balancing act as a NATO member sharing a long border with Russia, choosing to signal solidarity while avoiding direct combat commitments.

European split

While France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer have openly supported troop participation in a post-war settlement, Germany and Finland reflect the more cautious camp. Merz himself stressed that “it is too early today to give a definitive answer,” hinting at the political cost of moving too quickly.

Public opinion in Germany underlines the dilemma: 49% support participation in a European peacekeeping force, 45% oppose — a far more divided stance than in Britain or France