Germany cannot stand aside from supply of fighter jets to Ukraine - CDU leader

The leader of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friedrich Mertz, has called for stronger support for Ukraine, including for the supply of combat aircraft to Ukraine.

That's according to DW, Ukrinform reports.

"I believe that we should help Ukraine at least to regain control of its own airspace. Missile attacks, which are now taking place in ever greater numbers, against infrastructure, against power and water supplies, against hospitals, nursing homes, we cannot control that from the ground alone," he told the ARD TV channel.

That is why, Mertz said, the delivery of combat aircraft to Ukraine is already a done deal in many countries in the world, including in Europe.

"We as Germans should not hold back," the politician said.

According to data from open sources, the Bundeswehr currently has two types of combat aircraft in service: the MRCA PA-200 Tornado multi-purpose combat aircraft and the Eurofighter, DW said.

Ihor Zhovkva, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said earlier that Ukraine and Sweden were negotiating the supply of Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.