German opposition leader supports providing combat aircraft to Ukraine

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, believes that Germany should supply Ukraine with combat aircraft.

As reported by DW, citing Merz’s statement made on ARD, Merz is convinced that it is necessary to help Ukraine "at least regain sovereignty over its own airspace". 

"Because these missile attacks, which are increasingly targeting infrastructure, electricity and water supply facilities, hospitals and nursing homes, cannot be controlled solely from the ground," he said.

Therefore, Merz believes that the supply of combat aircraft to Ukraine is already an issue that has been settled in many countries, including in the EU. 

"We Germans cannot stand aside," he added.

The leaders of the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands, who head the fighter jet coalition, announced that Ukraine will receive its first F-16 aircraft this summer.

In early July, it was announced that the Netherlands would shortly begin supplying Ukraine with the first of 24 F-16 fighter jets.