Scholz: Ukraine's request for fighter aircraft currently makes no sense

The question of whether Ukraine should be supplied with fighter aircraft “currently makes no sense”, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in an interview where he was asked to address increased calls for Western powers to give Kiev planes.

In an interview for German public television, Scholz, who has earlier faced criticism because of the stalled decision to allow tanks to be delivered to Ukraine, said the difficulties of other states in meeting Ukraine's demands justify his decision to be on the same line with them.

Earlier this month, Germany agreed to send and allow other states to send heavy German production tanks to Ukraine so Kiev's forces commit offensive against Russian forces to the east. Despite this decision, tank shipments have been slow because states that have pledged to send tanks have limited numbers of them.

Perhaps this is an indication why it is important to co-ordinate with one another, with the United States for example, and to prepare these decisions carefully for them to function”, he said.

Ukraine is currently looking for fighter planes, even though Germany has no F-16s mentioned by Kiev.

Speaking the day before the first anniversary of the launch of Ukraine's Russian invasion, Scholz said he fears the conflict would be transformed “into a long-standing”, but added that Germany and the West would support Ukraine as long as necessary.

According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin will eventually have to realise that the goals of his war are elusive.

The “are just a few states that are on the side of Russia”, he said.

A day before the first anniversary of the invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his state will emerge Triumphant From this war, he vowed to hold all those who have brought war to Ukrainian territory responsible.