The leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, Friedrich Merz, did not close the door on a potential German delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine. In a candid interview with the publication ass, he indicated that discussions along these lines are not entirely off the table and that the topic merits careful consideration within Berlin’s political circles. Merz emphasized that the question is not merely about aircraft possession but about how Germany aligns its security commitments with broader European strategy and the burden such moves would place on allied coordination and regional stability.
Merz also acknowledged Kyiv’s clear expectation for air support and the rapid pace at which demands for military hardware evolve in wartime conditions. He recalled Germany’s long-standing role as a key defender of Ukraine’s sovereignty and noted that Berlin has been involved in other forms of military assistance, while stressing that the timing of any major arms transfer must reflect both domestic consensus and international diplomacy. He suggested that delivering additional equipment, including tanks, should be prioritized when the strategic calculus supports it and when allied partners share the burden and benefits of a coordinated response.
In Slovakia, Boris Kollar, the speaker for the country’s parliament, weighed in on whether Slovakia’s caretaker government could authorize the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. He argued that the decision hinges on several factors, including the government’s legal authority, the capacity to respond within the framework of existing agreements, and the ability to secure timely approvals from the involved ministries. Kollar pointed out that procedural legitimacy and political consensus play pivotal roles in any such transfer, and that the matter would require careful negotiation among coalition partners and stakeholders across the political spectrum.
From his perspective, Kollar said there has been no formal discussion within Slovakia about sending fighter jets to Kyiv. He stressed that the issue is highly intricate and requires broad political agreement before any steps could be taken. The complexity arises not only from military and logistical considerations but also from the broader strategic implications for regional security, alliance commitments, and Slovakia’s own defense posture. He underscored the importance of a thorough, transparent process that inclusively weighs national interests and international responsibilities.
Together, these remarks illustrate how the debate over providing advanced air power to Ukraine intersects national sovereignty, alliance strategy, and public opinion in Europe. While leaders in Berlin and Bratislava signal openness to reassessing arms-aid options, they also highlight the substantial hurdles—legal authority, parliamentary consent, alliance cohesion, and the practicalities of implementing an arms swap or direct transfers. The ongoing dialogue across capitals reflects a broader trend: European governments balancing urgent security needs with the norms of democratic oversight, the realities of coalition governance, and the shared objective of deterring further aggression while maintaining regional stability. In this shifting landscape, decisions about fighter jets and other high-end military assets will continue to unfold within a framework of cautious diplomacy, intensive intergovernmental discussions, and careful alignment with the broader goals of NATO and the European Union. State officials and lawmakers stress that any move must be deliberate, well-justified, and supported by clear evidence of strategic necessity, risk assessment, and measurable outcomes for Ukraine’s defense and regional security. For Kyiv, the path toward enhanced air capabilities remains a complex negotiation, one that involves not only technical feasibility but also political legitimacy, alliance solidarity, and the readiness of partner nations to share responsibility in this critical era of European security. (Source attribution: Reuters)”}{