German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. AP

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Germany's Scholz rules out sending fighter jets to Ukraine

Chancellor agreed to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine on Wednesday after weeks of deliberation

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

January 29, 2023

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Germany will not send fighter jets to Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz repeated on Sunday, as Kyiv increased calls for more advanced weapons from the West to help repel Russia's invasion.

After weeks of intense debate and mounting pressure from allies, Mr Scholz agreed on Wednesday to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and to allow other European countries to send theirs.

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"I can only advise against entering into a constant bidding war when it comes to weapons systems," Mr Scholz told the Tagesspiegel newspaper.

"If, as soon as a decision [on tanks] has been made, the next debate starts in Germany, that doesn't come across as serious and undermines citizens' confidence in government decisions."

Mr Scholz's decision to approve the tanks was accompanied by a US announcement that it would send 31 of its Abrams tanks.

Drones and weapons supplied to Ukraine - in pictures

Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP
Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP
The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP
The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP
Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP
Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP
Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters
Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters
FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army
FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army
Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP
Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP
The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA
The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA
M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA
M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA
Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA
Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA
Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg
Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg
Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA
Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA
France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP
France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP
Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters
Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters
The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images
The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images
Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP
Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP
The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP
The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP
Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images
Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images
Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters
Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Berlin and Washington for the move, which was regarded as a breakthrough in efforts to support the war-torn country.

But Mr Zelenskyy immediately stressed that Ukraine needed more heavy weapons from Nato allies to fend off Russian troops, including fighter jets and long-range missiles.

Mr Scholz warned against raising "the risk of escalation", with Moscow already condemning the tank pledges.

Russia and Ukraine conflict latest - in pictures

A tank, seen left, fires a round in Soledar, a town in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Reuters
A tank, seen left, fires a round in Soledar, a town in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Reuters
Tank fire in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
Tank fire in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
Firefighters work to put out a blaze at a Kharkiv fireworks storage site after it was struck by a Russian missile. Getty
Firefighters work to put out a blaze at a Kharkiv fireworks storage site after it was struck by a Russian missile. Getty
Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, visits his troops on the frontline in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, visits his troops on the frontline in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
A Ukrainian flag attached to a tank flutters in the wind in Bakhmut. Reuters
A Ukrainian flag attached to a tank flutters in the wind in Bakhmut. Reuters
A specialist from an emergency crew works on a residential building in Donetsk that was damaged in recent shelling. Reuters
A specialist from an emergency crew works on a residential building in Donetsk that was damaged in recent shelling. Reuters
A missile fragment left by shelling in Russian-controlled Donetsk. AP
A missile fragment left by shelling in Russian-controlled Donetsk. AP
Residents remove debris and carry their belongings out of a building destroyed by recent shelling in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
Residents remove debris and carry their belongings out of a building destroyed by recent shelling in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
Ukrainian forces fire an anti-aircraft weapon as Russia's attack on the frontline city of Bakhmut continues. Reuters
Ukrainian forces fire an anti-aircraft weapon as Russia's attack on the frontline city of Bakhmut continues. Reuters
A car drives past a destroyed building purported to have been used as temporary accommodation for Russian soldiers, dozens of whom were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike in Makiivka, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
A car drives past a destroyed building purported to have been used as temporary accommodation for Russian soldiers, dozens of whom were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike in Makiivka, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
The site of a temporary barracks for Russian soldiers in Makiivka, which was destroyed in a Ukrainian missile attack. Reuters
The site of a temporary barracks for Russian soldiers in Makiivka, which was destroyed in a Ukrainian missile attack. Reuters
A Ukrainian serviceman carries his injured comrade from the battlefield to a hospital in the Donetsk region. AP
A Ukrainian serviceman carries his injured comrade from the battlefield to a hospital in the Donetsk region. AP
Smoke rises after shelling in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk region. AP
Smoke rises after shelling in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk region. AP

"There is no war between Nato and Russia. We will not allow such an escalation," he said.

Mr Scholz said it was "necessary" to continue speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The last phone call between the leaders was in early December.

"I will talk to Putin by phone again," he said.

"But of course, it's also clear that as long as Russia continues to wage war with unabated aggression, the current situation will not change."

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Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle. 
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In Sharjah and other emirates
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Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup

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Indoor cricket World Cup:
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Lexus LX700h specs

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Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis
Profile of Whizkey

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'Top Gun: Maverick'

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Updated: January 29, 2023, 10:33 PM`
EuropeGermanyOlaf ScholzUkraine