(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, DEC 26 - "I would like to see soldiers with the European flag on their uniforms, working alongside our Ukrainian friends to ensure peace." This was said by the leader of the EPP group in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber, in an interview with Die Zeit, supporting the contribution of German troops to the proposed multinational European force as a security guarantee after talks on Ukraine in Berlin. So far, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor and Spd leader Lars Klingbeil have been cautious about the participation of German soldiers in a peacekeeping operation. "We cannot expect Trump to reach an agreement only with American troops. And when it comes to European troops, Germany cannot be excluded," Weber pointed out, indicating that "after a ceasefire or a peace agreement, the European flag must fly along the security line." However, the leader of the EU Populars expressed strong skepticism about the possibility of an imminent ceasefire. "Putin is mocking us. Even today he rejoices in the West's infighting and divisions," he said, adding that he cannot see the czar "pursuing the path of peace." (ANSA).