War in Ukraine: Esken calls fighter jet alliance clear signal to Putin

SPD leader Saskia Esken welcomed the formation of an international alliance to support Ukraine with modern fighter jets, but expressed reservations about German participation. “The planned alliance is a very clear signal to the Russian President (Vladimir Putin) that Ukraine’s allies will continue to stand by their side in solidarity,” Esken told the German Press Agency. “It’s up to Putin to end this war, withdraw his troops and make peace possible.”

The SPD leader pointed out that the Bundeswehr did not have the US-made F-16 jets that Ukraine wanted and could therefore not deliver them. “Every ally supports as best they can,” she said. When asked whether Germany would then take part in pilot training, she replied: “There is already well-established and successful practice in training Ukrainian soldiers on other western-style weapon systems, which we will continue to focus on become.”

The Bundeswehr has trained Ukrainian soldiers, among other things, on the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the Panzerhaubitze, a heavy artillery piece. Even if the German Air Force does not have F-16 fighter jets of its own, it could still participate in the basic training of pilots. But that is not planned so far.

US President Joe Biden cleared the way for training Ukrainian pilots for the F-16 aircraft at the G7 summit in Japan. Several European NATO countries such as Great Britain, the Netherlands and France want to participate in the fighter jet alliance. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has so far been reluctant to comment on this and has always pointed out that Germany is already providing a lot of military support – including the delivery of tanks, air defense systems and ammunition. Esken also said: “We stand by Ukraine. We will do everything within our means to support them.”