ZDF: More than half of Germans support sending troops to Ukraine

More than half of German residents support sending German troops to Ukraine after the ceasefire, ZDF TV channel reports with reference to a study conducted by Wahlen.

"If between Russia and Ukraine will reach a truce, secured by European troops, about half of the respondents (53 percent) believe that Germany and its Bundeswehr should also take part," the article says.

At the same time, according to the survey, 42 percent of respondents, including the majority of residents of East Germany (54 percent), oppose Germany's participation in a military mission in Ukraine.

However, only a few (four percent) expect to achieve a sustainable ceasefire in the coming weeks, 94 percent are pessimistic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the WEF plenary session on Friday that Russia would consider any troops on the territory of Ukraine to be legitimate targets for defeat. According to the head of state, Ukraine's accession to NATO does not suit Moscow at all. Although every country has the right to choose how to ensure its security, such issues are not resolved without regard to the security of Russia itself, he stressed. Putin also noted that he was ready for contacts with the Ukrainian side, but did not see the point in it.

The Russian Foreign Ministry previously stated that any scenario of the deployment of NATO troops on the Ukraine is categorically unacceptable to Moscow and is fraught with a sharp escalation. Statements about the possibility of the appearance of contingents of the Alliance countries on Ukraine, sounded from London and other European capitals, the Russian Foreign Ministry called incitement to the continuation of hostilities.