The German government has again rejected calls to send military planes to Ukraine, after opposition leader Friedrich Merz, of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, said he supported the idea.
Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit has said that Ukraine will receive some F-16 fighter jets from Western partners, which Germany does not possess.
“It makes no sense to send different types of fighter planes to Ukraine,” said Hebestreit.
“While fighter jets may look similar from the outside, they are very different to handle. Long-term training is needed for them”, he said.
On Sunday, Merz asked for additional help for Ukraine, in an interview with the German broadcaster, ARD.
“It seems somewhat plausible to me to help Ukraine regain control of its airspace. Because these rocket attacks, which are increasing each time, against infrastructure, against electricity and water supplies, against hospitals, against nursing homes, cannot be repelled only from the ground,” he said.
“Therefore, the delivery of warplanes to Ukraine from many countries, including some in Europe, has been confirmed. We, as Europeans, should not be left behind”.
Hebestreit said on Monday that Merz’s proposal was not new, and that Merz must have known that Germany could not send the same planes to Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine started on February 24, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the war a “special military operation” to demilitarize Ukraine.
The West has responded to Russia, hitting the economy of this country with harsh sanctions.
As a result of the war, thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced from their homes.
