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| Germany opposes Ukraine ‘no fly zone’ | Germany opposes Ukraine ‘no fly zone’ |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned such a move would place NATO in direct conflict with Russia | Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned such a move would place NATO in direct conflict with Russia |
| German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed a proposal tabled by former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the Ukrainian government to establish a no-fly zone over the country as “dangerous talk.” | |
| His comments came after Rasmussen and Kiev officials presented a ten-page paper which suggested binding Kiev to NATO by implementing an air defense shield over the western part of the country. | His comments came after Rasmussen and Kiev officials presented a ten-page paper which suggested binding Kiev to NATO by implementing an air defense shield over the western part of the country. |
| Such a move would “protect NATO from Russian missile and drone strikes, but also Ukrainian civilians and military infrastructure in a well-defined area of responsibility inside western Ukraine.” This, in turn, would allow Kiev to move air defense systems to the frontline in the east to protect key cities such as Kharkov and Dnepr. | Such a move would “protect NATO from Russian missile and drone strikes, but also Ukrainian civilians and military infrastructure in a well-defined area of responsibility inside western Ukraine.” This, in turn, would allow Kiev to move air defense systems to the frontline in the east to protect key cities such as Kharkov and Dnepr. |
| During a campaign speech for his SPD party in the upcoming European Parliament elections, Scholz branded the idea as dangerous talk, and expressed frustration at anyone who is still considering setting up a “no-fly zone” over Ukraine. | |
| Scholz insisted that while it is important to continue supporting Kiev, neither Germany, Europe or NATO should become a party to the war, and should not be asked to do so as such a development could prompt an “unpredictable reaction” from Russian President Vladimir Putin. | Scholz insisted that while it is important to continue supporting Kiev, neither Germany, Europe or NATO should become a party to the war, and should not be asked to do so as such a development could prompt an “unpredictable reaction” from Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
| Last week, German opposition parties also came out in support of shooting down Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine using defense systems based in Poland and Romania. Scholz’s government dismissed the proposal. | Last week, German opposition parties also came out in support of shooting down Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine using defense systems based in Poland and Romania. Scholz’s government dismissed the proposal. |
| Spokesman Steffen Hebestreit stressed that Berlin opposes any initiative aimed at establishing a no-fly zone over any part of Ukraine that would be controlled by NATO forces, saying such a move would “cross the line into direct participation.” | Spokesman Steffen Hebestreit stressed that Berlin opposes any initiative aimed at establishing a no-fly zone over any part of Ukraine that would be controlled by NATO forces, saying such a move would “cross the line into direct participation.” |
| Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly warned that the use of any NATO weapons in Ukraine, such as US-made F-16 fighter jets, would give Moscow the right to target the systems wherever they operate from, including airfields in NATO countries. | Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly warned that the use of any NATO weapons in Ukraine, such as US-made F-16 fighter jets, would give Moscow the right to target the systems wherever they operate from, including airfields in NATO countries. |