Germany again refuses calls to send fighter planes to Ukraine

The German government has again rejected calls for sending military planes to Ukraine, as opposition leader Friedrich Merz, from the centre-right Union of Democracy, has said to back the idea.

Government spokesman Stephen Hebestreet has said Ukraine will accept some F-16 fighter planes from Western partners, which Germany does not own.

There's no point in sending different kinds of fighter planes to Ukraine”, Hebestreet said.

And if fighter planes look similar from outside, they're very different to manage. It takes long-term training for them, he said.

Merz has sought additional aid Sunday for Ukraine in an interview conducted with German broadcaster ARD.

I find it somewhat reliable to help Ukraine regain control of its airspace. Because, these missile attacks, which are each and every time on the rise, against infrastructure, against electricity and water supplies, against hospitals, against nursing homes, cannot be avoided just from land”, he said.

Therefore, it has been confirmed to send combat planes to Ukraine, from many countries, including some in Europe. We as Europeans, should not stand back”.

Hebestreet has said Monday that Merzi's proposal is not new, and that Merz must have knowledge that Germany cannot send the same planes to Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls war <x0 military special operation” to demilitarise Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia, striking the economy of this state with severe sanctions.

As a result of the war, thousands have died, and millions of others have been displaced from their homes. /rel