Germany again rejects calls to deliver fighter jets to Ukraine

The German government on Monday again rejected calls for the delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine, after opposition leader Friedrich Merz from the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) said he supported the idea.

Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Ukraine is already due to receive a number of F-16 jets, which Germany does not possess, from Western partners this summer.

"It makes no sense to hand over different types of fighter jets to Ukraine," Hebestreit said. "Even though fighter jets may look similar from the outside, they are very different to handle. It involves long-term training," he added.

Merz had on Sunday demanded further assistance for Ukraine in an interview with German broadcaster ARD.

"It seems somewhat plausible to me to help Ukraine now to at least regain control over its own airspace. Because these missile attacks, which are now taking place in increasing numbers, against infrastructure, against electricity and water supplies, against hospitals, care homes, cannot be brought under control from the ground alone," he said.

Merz added: "That is why the delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine has already been decided in many countries around the world, including in Europe. We, as Germans, should not lag behind."

Hebestreit on Monday said Merz's proposal was not new, and that Merz should know that Germany cannot deliver the same type of aircraft to Ukraine.

A spokesman for the German Defence Ministry said that Germany should continue to offer Ukraine specialized aid. "It has become clear in the past, with regard to assistance for Ukraine, that it is not better when everyone tries to do everything. Instead, we should focus on what each country or groups of countries can do best," he said.