Kyiv politicians support proposal to send in German troops

The Ukrainian parliament could soon hold a vote on the presence of German soldiers in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine. According to media reports, around 200 German paratroopers could be deployed in the region to help staff from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) monitor the truce that was agreed between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian army in early September.

There are also plans to deploy drones to boost monitoring capability along the Russia-Ukraine border. The German tabloid Bild Zeitung has reported that the majority of German soldiers would operate the surveillance drones on behalf of the OSCE. Two drones from Austria landed in Ukraine on Monday.

Hopes rest on Western military powers

French soldiers are also likely to take part in the mission. Berlin has yet to make a final decision on its contribution, saying only that the details were being studied. According to reports, it has yet to be decided whether the soldiers will be armed or not.

While news of the possible mission got a mixed reaction in Germany, in Ukraine, many politicians have responded positively. Ukrainian MP Pawlo Rosenko of the UDAR party headed by the mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko, for example, has big hopes for the mission. Rosenko has accused the separatists of violating the truce, and hopes that a Western military presence would prevent any further violations.

"A neutral military presence is needed in the conflict zone to monitor the truce agreement and protect international observers from any possible terrorist attacks," he told DW.

Cooperation with NATO countries

Stepan Kurpil of the "Batkivshchyna" (Fatherland) party headed by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is also pleased about the proposed deployment of Bundeswehr soldiers in eastern Ukraine. "The participation of democratic countries in such a mission should be welcomed," said Kurpil, member of a parliamentary commission for Ukraine's integration within Europe. He added that German soldiers were well prepared for such a mission in Ukraine, due to their experience working in many other peace missions around the world.

The parliament in Kyiv would support the deployment of foreign soldiers in Ukraine with a large majority, said Juri Sirotjuk of the "Svoboda" (Freedom) party.

"Ukraine would like to become a member of NATO, so it would be useful to cooperate with NATO countries," Sirotjuk said.

Communists remain skeptical

The leftist opposition members are among the few opponents of a possible German mission in eastern Ukraine. MP Olexander Holub, a member of the Communist Party, was critical of such a deployment during a conversation with DW, saying it was problematic for historical reasons.

"Most people in Ukraine have not forgotten the Second World War, when German soldiers killed millions of our people," Holub said. He added that he does not view Germany as a neutral country, because it joined the West in supporting the Maidan protest movement last winter.

Representatives of pro-Western parties reject such arguments. "Germany has overcome its totalitarian past since the Second World War," said Kurpil. Both he and Rosenko are critical of Russia, which they say has sent its troops into eastern Ukraine illegally. The presence of Russian troops has been confirmed by intelligence reports from both Ukraine and Western countries, Rosenko said.