Germany leaves open the possibility of sending troops to Bosnia amid Ukraine tensions

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 Germany said it would make efforts to expand the European Union's (EU) peacekeeping operations in Bosnia & Herzegovina amid the tense situation in the continent.


Reuters reports that German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said Germany will work to expand the EU peacekeeping mission in Bosnia & Herzegovina.


"The EUFOR mission is an important signal to the stabilizing situation in Bosnia. Germany will do all it can to continue this mission," Ms. Lambrecht told the press during a meeting with her Bosnian & German counterpart. Herzegovina Sifet Podzic on Wednesday.


However, the German Defense Minister remained open to the possibility that Berlin would send soldiers for the first time in 10 years to participate in this mission. Ms Lambrecht only revealed that a final decision has not yet been made.


Earlier, senior officials of the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said that the tense situation in Ukraine is likely to spread to Bosnia & Herzegovina.


Although located hundreds of kilometers away from the conflict zone, EU and NATO officials still have reason to be concerned due to the strong Bosnian Serb separatist movement in this country.


EUFOR, short for European Union Force, is a military force formed by the militaries of EU member states. This force has been involved in peacekeeping missions in Bosnia & Herzegovina since 2004, replacing NATO forces. Just a few days before Russia's special military operation in Ukraine broke out, the EU sent 500 more troops to this Balkan country.

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