Pistorius in an interview: “Fighter jet question not currently in focus”

Defense Minister Pistorius has in the daily topics has canceled the delivery of German fighter jets to Ukraine for the moment. Securing the airspace over Ukraine is currently a priority. And that requires ammunition.

In the debate on further military aid to Ukraine, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius daily topics explains that the question of the delivery of fighter jets is currently not in focus. There is another challenge: to secure the airspace over Ukraine.

This requires a functioning air defense system with sufficient ammunition: “If the sky over Ukraine stays safe for the next three to four months, then we can talk about all the further steps – the use of armored units in particular then only really makes sense.”

The issue of fighter jets will certainly be discussed in Brussels. With the types available, Germany is not the focus, so this question does not have to be given priority.

First “Leopard” tanks in Ukraine at the end of March

In connection with the delivery of battle tanks, it was “a little bit disappointing” that so far only Poland, Norway and Portugal had promised tanks as European partners, Pistorius continued, especially since Germany was always considered a hindrance. Tomorrow he will meet the defense ministers of Ukraine and Poland. Then we’ll see what’s going on. He is hopeful, other countries are still in the consideration phase.

According to Pistorius, the first “Leopard” tanks from Germany should arrive in Ukraine in the last week of March. The training of the soldiers from Ukraine in Munster has started.

Appeal to armaments industry

The defense minister once again called on the arms industry to produce more ammunition – even if contracts had not yet been signed. This is a “question of willingness and good will”. They would sell the ammunition, the risk of getting stuck with it was low.