Berlin eyes role in Ukraine peace deal but says too early for decisions

BERLIN - German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday his country would likely play a role in securing a future ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine but that it was far too early to tell what a peacekeeping force might look like.

Speculation that Europe could put boots on the ground in Ukraine should a ceasefire be reached with Russia has risen as countries are awaiting U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House in January.

Trump has made clear he will push for an immediate ceasefire to end the conflict and that he sees Europeans in charge of taking first responsibility for the security on their continent.

Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Pistorius echoed other European politicians by saying it was too early for decisions on any troop presence in Ukraine as there were neither negotiations nor a ceasefire in sight.

"If there is a ceasefire, then of course the Western community, NATO partners, potentially the United Nations and the European Union will have to discuss how such a peace, such a ceasefire can be secured," he said. "And it is obvious that Germany as Europe's biggest economy would play a role there."

Pistorius added that he could not say yet what such a role might entail as this depended on the modalities and conditions of a ceasefire and a potential mandate for a peacekeeping force.

He underlined it also needed to be clear that both Ukraine and Russia accepted such a mandate.

"From my response you can tell that there are far more questions than answers right now. And that's why I cannot give you a conclusive answer," he said.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing by Matthew Lewis)