Germany will not be part of the fighter jet coalition

2023-05-18 09:18:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Germany will not be part of the fighter jet coalition

Chancellor Olaf Scholz

In the debate on the creation of an international alliance for the supply of warplanes to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not see Germany's participation in this coalition.

In the debate over sending warplanes to Ukraine, Chancellor Scholz does not see Germany under pressure to act now. "There are no demands on us," Scholz said after the meeting at the Council of Europe in Reykjavik. Asked whether Germany would participate in a planned international coalition of fighter jets, Scholz said "the question is not as topical as it is being asked."

According to Chancellor Scholz, Germany is focusing on sending battle tanks, ammunition and creating a "working system for repairs" and air defense. These things are very important for Ukraine's defense capability, he said, and Germany has made other promises here.

Britain and the Netherlands unveiled plans on Tuesday for an "international coalition" to send warplanes to Ukraine. According to him, Ukraine will be supplied with F-16 aircraft and will be supported with pilot training. France has also expressed its willingness to help in the training of pilots.

Ukraine's air defense is a priority

But the Ministry of Defense in Berlin welcomed the initiative for the coalition of fighter jets of the Netherlands and Great Britain.

Germany supports any initiative that makes it easier for Ukraine to organize its defense, said a spokesman for this ministry in Berlin. It is clear to the Bundeswehr that no fighter jets can be made available from internal reserves.

According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense, the air defense of Ukraine has the "highest priority". Germany participates here by providing the most modern air defense systems and that so far it has been a good solution, that each ally has provided what it does best.

Meanwhile, according to data from Kiev on Wednesday, Russia has lost more than 200,000 soldiers in the war in Ukraine. The General Staff announced that 610 enemy soldiers were killed in the last 24 hours, and the total number of soldiers killed reached 200,000.

Kyiv data cannot be verified. According to military experts, both sides give exaggerated information about the killing of soldiers of the other enemy side./ DW