Friedrich Merz, the prospective successor to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after Sunday’s parliamentary election, is not committing to discussions on sending German units to participate in a proposed peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

“I see it the same way as the chancellor: This is not a question at all at the moment,” said Merz in a TV appearance alongside his rivals, hours after his conservative CDU/CSU bloc won a clear victory.

Outgoing chancellor Scholz had previously also said it was too early to discuss German military forces in Ukraine.

“The first question that arises for us is: Do we continue to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself?” Merz asked, questioning whether Germany has given Kiev enough backing under Scholz’s administration.

“Otherwise, this war would not have lasted three years,” said Merz, ahead of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion on Monday.

He added: “The second question that arises is: How do we secure NATO territory in the immediate vicinity of Ukraine?”