Germany proposes to close airspace over part of Ukraine

Germany proposes to close airspace over part of Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)

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.

According to the newspaper, the idea of using NATO air defense systems deployed in Romania and Poland and operated by NATO forces to shoot down Russian drones over Western Ukraine was proposed by Nico Lange, an expert at the Munich Security Council (MSC) and former NATO Deputy Secretary General, and was suggested by Lieutenant General Horst Heinrich Braus.

According to Lange, this would create a 70-kilometer safe zone on the Ukrainian border. This could relieve Ukrainian air defense forces in other parts of the front.

Air defense for Ukraine

Russian troops continue to strike Ukraine, forcing Ukrainian diplomats to seek help from their allies. The key request is for air defense systems that can withstand even ballistic missiles.

Ukraine is particularly interested in the Patriot system, but so far only Germany has agreed to provide one battery. Kyiv expects to receive at least seven such systems.