Berlin.
Advisor to Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov thanks Germany for supplying Leopards, but demands more.
the Ukraine calls for more heavy weapons from Germany, including fighter jets. “Germany should lead the coalition of fighter jets – or at least join it,” adviser to Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, Yuriy Sak, told our editorial team. “We hope that the Western tank coalition expands into a coalition that also supplies fighter jets.” also read: Leopard Delivery: Why Every “Red Line” Gets Crossed
Many countries that had main battle tanks also had fourth-generation fighter jets. “Every time the West makes a new weapon type supplies to Ukraine, it sends a very important signal to Russia: Ukraine will get everything from the West to win this war,” explained Sak.
“Allies signal ready to deliver F16 fighter jets”
Ukraine currently have only Mig fighter jets from the Soviet era, which are clearly inferior to the American F16 machines. “There are 50 countries that have F16 fighter jets,” Sak said. “We are getting signals from our allies that they are ready to deliver F16 fighter jets. But the Swedish-made Gripens or F15 jets would also be very useful for us.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had ruled out the delivery of fighter jets as well as the sending of ground troops. The Bundeswehr also has none F16 jetsbut mainly about tornadoes and Eurofighters.
Even supporters of military aid to Ukraine like the Green MEP Tony Hofreiter are reluctant when it comes to fighter jets: “For Germany, the question doesn’t really arise,” he told our editorial team Leopard 2 in charge.’
Ukraine war – background and explanations for the conflict
USA, Poland and France do not rule out jet delivery
On the other hand, the USA, Poland and France are open to sending fighter jets to Ukraine. Asked if the United States is considering doing so, US President Joe Biden’s Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said it had not ruled out any particular weapon system. Support will be tailored to what Ukraine needs.
Poland government would support it if NATO decides to supply fighter jets to Ukraine. “I think we, NATO, have to be braver,” said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The chairman of the Defense Committee of the French National Assembly, Thomas Gassilloud, made a similar statement: “We must examine inquiries on a case-by-case basis and leave all doors open,” Gassilloud said, according to British media reports.
Comment:Zelenskyy goes too far: No fighter jets for Ukraine!
Advisor to the Secretary of Defense: “In the end, the impossible becomes possible”
The adviser to the Ukrainian Secretary of Defense expressed understanding for the concerns in the West, but was confident that Ukraine would get fighter jets after all. “Even the supply of arms before that always followed the same pattern: First it was said that it was impossible. Then we talk to the allies and assess the threat and risk to them. And in the end, the impossible becomes possible.”
The delivery of Western main battle tanks to Ukraine is a “turning point” in the war, Sak underlined. “We need between 300 and 400 main battle tanks to intensify our counter-offensive and rid our country of the aggressor.”
Our reporters on site: Hell of Bachmut: “They trudge over the dead comrades”
“Iris-T anti-aircraft system has a hit rate of almost 100 percent”
The most effective weapons out Germany so far the Iris-T air defense system and the Gepard anti-aircraft gun tank. Iris-T has a hit rate of “practically 100 percent,” Sak explained. “We are very grateful to Germany for sending an Iris-T air defense system. But that’s not enough, as you can see from the daily Russian airstrikes.”
In addition, Ukraine needs more artillery systems. As an example, he cited the British M777 howitzers or the French CAESAR howitzers. In addition, Ukraine needs longer-range missiles. “These include the American ATACMS short-range missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers,” says Sak.
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