'Germany's definitely going to be a part of the coalition of the willing'

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00:00Let's take you to events here in Paris. 24 hours on from the latest get-together,

00:06the so-called Coalition of the Willing, which is starting to take shape. This

00:09collective of European nations and others, including Canada, Turkey,

00:12Australia, the first met at the start of the month, trying to work out what

00:15support they could provide Ukraine in a new uncertainty of dealing with the US

00:19and Russia to be edged out of peace talks. A key element of the group, led by

00:23Britain and France, is a peacekeeping force, now known as a reassurance force

00:28in the case of a truce, if and when that happens. This was the family photo in

00:33the dappled sunshine of Paris yesterday evening. The last 24 hours were about

00:38operational details, we're told. Who's in, who's out? Some countries, such as

00:42Turkey, Australia, Finland, appear committed, while others, such as Italy,

00:46Spain and Poland, say they're not sending troops. What about Europe's

00:51biggest economic might, Germany? In between governments, Armin Zorn is a

00:55member of the Social Democrat Party at the Bundestag. Great to have you on

00:59the programme, Armin. First of all, just set out for us where Germany stands in

01:03sending troops to Ukraine in the event of a truce. Will they be there

01:07alongside the Brits and the French? Good evening and thanks for the

01:12invite. I think it's too early to say from a German perspective. I think

01:16Germany is definitely going to be part of that coalition. We have been quite

01:21supportful when it came to supporting Ukraine in the last year, and I think

01:25Germany is going to continue to play a big role when it comes to supporting

01:29Ukraine in the future. But whether or not there are going to be German troops

01:33part of this coalition, I think that's quite early to say. As you know, we're

01:36currently also talking about our coalition agreement here in Germany. So

01:41I think you may know that there are still some issues that are

01:44controversial. And I believe that once we find an agreement on the coalition

01:49agreement here in Germany, the issue of how can we continue to support

01:52Ukraine is definitely going to be also one of the first topics to talk about.

01:57Do you sense there's an unease amongst your colleagues within the party about

02:01the idea of committing to troops on the ground?

02:05No, I don't think so, because it's always about the context. I mean, when

02:08you're looking at the Social Democratic Party in the last four years, I think

02:11we have made clear that we support Ukraine. We have made clear that we

02:16need to be one of the biggest supporters when it comes to military

02:19support, to financial support, to humanitarian support. And the question

02:24of sending troops to Ukraine was not up to date until recently. And now that

02:29we see a new situation, I think we are willing to talk and discuss about it.

02:33But at the end of the day, it's about finding a good solution for Ukraine,

02:37not for Germany. But I think when you're looking at what is necessary

02:40right now, there are a lot of things that we can bring to the table as

02:44Federal Republic of Germany. And it's going to be part of the discussion to

02:47understand what's the biggest contribution we can make. And I think my

02:50political party is ready and willing to be part of the discussion as well.

02:55When you say too early, it's too early because you're in the midst of forming

02:59the new coalition with Friedrich Merz as Chancellor, or it's too early in a

03:03sense of where we are in the conflict. It's too early because there's no

03:06truce in sight or immediate sight.

03:10No, my personal opinion is it's too early when it comes to the situation in

03:14Ukraine and with Russia right now. I think we are witnessing a change of the

03:18situation almost every other day. If you look to all the different statements

03:23made by President Trump or by President Putin, you see that it's kind of

03:28clear, it's kind of hard to see whenever we have a situation that will allow us

03:33to talk about peace and what kind of peace are we talking about. So I think

03:38we need to be prepared. And that's why I appreciate the current proposals we

03:42are talking about, but also believe things are going to change dramatically.

03:45So I just want that we shouldn't go into one direction and believing this is

03:49it, as much as there's not such things as one instrument that is going to save

03:55the situation right now. But my point of view, the opinion of my political

03:58party is that there are so many things at the table. Let's think about how can

04:02we have more options, more pathways that can lead to peace. And I'm quite

04:07sure that Germany will play a central role when it comes to that.

04:11The argument in those trying to persuade you, including the French and

04:14the Brits and including President Zelensky talking to the media this week

04:19saying that he hopes to speak to Friedrich Merz and can convince him to

04:21get troops involved. He doesn't think it's too early. Those around

04:25Kyostarma in the UK say part of this is to say to the US, we have a ready made

04:30plan that we can look and monitor maybe 60, 70 contact points, firefight

04:34points around 1,200 kilometres of front line. And if not now, then when?

04:39The readiness is all. Do you see their argument?

04:43Yeah, I absolutely see their argument. And don't get me wrong, it's not that

04:47we are completely against it. It's not like that we're against it at all.

04:52I'm just trying to make clear that when we're looking at the current

04:57situational, we're talking about peace. I think there's no there's not such

05:01things as a one size fits all solution. So I believe this can be this can be a

05:05major support when it comes to Ukraine. And I believe that Germany is going to

05:08have to make the discussion. You know, the current situation in Germany with

05:13the current government being built, you know, the entire situation and

05:17discussion in the German society right now. So I believe that in order to have

05:22the support of the German public, it's also quite important to have the

05:26discussion. So I understand that obviously, things are going quite

05:30quickly and the entire world is not waiting for Germany. But I truly believe

05:33that if we're talking about German troops involvement in the Ukraine, we

05:37all should also have a public discussion about it in Germany.

05:40What did you make of Steve Witkoff's comments, the key interlocutor on

05:43Ukraine saying that there are too many in Europe that feel like they are heroes,

05:48like they are Churchill's? Helpful?

05:52I don't want to comment on that. When I look at Europe, when I look at

05:57European countries right now, I see a lot of European countries and a lot of

06:01leaders and also societies being ready to support Ukraine, being ready to find

06:06a solution, being ready to achieve peace. So that's how I look at it.

06:12Great to talk to you this evening, Armen, with a beautiful looking panorama

06:15behind you as well. Armen Zorn from the SPD. Thanks for your time.

06:21Stay with us here on Front 24. We'll be back in just a moment.

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