Scholz: No fighter jets and ground troops

Germany

Scholz draws red lines: no fighter jets and ground troops

After deciding to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has drawn red lines for continued military support to the Russian-invaded country.

Scholz ruled out the delivery of combat aircraft or the deployment of ground troops on Wednesday in the Bundestag. “I made it clear very early on that it’s not about combat aircraft and I’m doing that here too,” said the head of government. When no-fly zones were discussed shortly after the start of the war, he and US President Joe Biden said: “We will not do that. And nothing has changed in this attitude and nothing will change either.”

Scholz added: “Under no circumstances will we send ground troops. I said there will be no direct involvement of NATO soldiers in the Ukraine war. This has not been the case so far and will not be the case in the future either. And everyone can rely on that,” said Scholz. “That has been said from the beginning, not only by me, but also by the American President. And together that should probably be a weighty word. »