German political leaders are evaluating a proposition to utilize NATO's air defense systems stationed in Poland and Romania to safeguard the skies over Western Ukraine against Russian drone attacks.
This proposal aims to establish a secure zone that extends up to 70 kilometers into Ukrainian territory. By doing so, it could potentially alleviate the pressure on Ukraine's air defense capabilities, enabling them to concentrate on other critical areas along the front.
The FAZ newspaper report, cited by DW, highlights that this initiative is supported by various members of Germany's ruling parties, including the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens. It is worth noting that this plan aligns with the thinking expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has contemplated deploying French troops to assist Kyiv from positions outside Ukrainian territory.
Agnieszka Brugger from the Greens advocates for the deployment of air defense systems along Ukraine's neighboring borders to also protect the western regions of Ukraine. Her party colleague, Anton Hofreiter, mentioned that the defense of Ukraine's airspace from the territories of Poland and Romania should be considered a long-term measure, although it is not currently being discussed. Instead, he emphasized the immediate necessity for the West to significantly increase its supply of arms and ammunition to Ukraine itself.
Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has proposed the utilization of Western systems to intercept Russian drones in Ukraine. He argues that this approach would relieve the pressure on Ukrainian air defenses and strengthen their ability to safeguard the frontlines. To support his point, he referred to a recent incident in April where the United States, France, and Britain assisted Israel in repelling a significant aerial assault from Iran. This example highlights that assisting in such situations does not necessarily imply direct involvement in the conflict for the aiding nations.
There is a proposal to use NATO air defense systems deployed on the eastern borders of the Alliance to protect the western regions of Ukraine from Russian drones. In particular, Poland and Romania could do this.
This idea is supported by representatives of some German political parties, including the ruling Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Union 90/Greens.
Based on reports from the newspaper, the proposal to utilize NATO air defense systems stationed in Romania and Poland, under NATO forces' control, to intercept Russian drones flying over Western Ukraine was put forth by Nico Lange, an expert at the Munich Security Council (MSC) and former NATO Deputy Secretary General. Lieutenant General Horst Heinrich Braus also endorsed this idea. Lange believes that implementing this plan would establish a secure 70-kilometer zone along the Ukrainian border, potentially easing the burden on Ukrainian air defense units elsewhere on the front line.
Ukrainian diplomats are reaching out to their allies as Russian troops persist in attacking Ukraine. The primary appeal is for air defense systems capable of withstanding ballistic missiles.
The Patriot system holds significant importance for Ukraine, yet only Germany has currently committed to supplying a single battery. Kyiv anticipates receiving a minimum of seven of these systems.
0 Comments