There could be movement in the considerations of handing over Polish MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. According to a statement by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs published on Tuesday, Poland is ready to move all MiG-29 combat aircraft to the US Ramstein Air Force Base in Rhineland-Palatinate immediately and free of charge.
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Poland is ready to provide them “free of charge and without delay”. According to reports, the machines will then be delivered to Ukraine, whose pilots are trained on this type. At the same time, the United States is being asked to provide the country with used aircraft that are suitable for use.
With this offer, the government of the NATO member state is responding to recent statements by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a trip to Europe. “We are currently actively looking at the issue of planes that Poland could deliver to Ukraine,” said the chief US diplomat in Moldova.
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However, Warsaw has repeatedly ruled out direct delivery to the neighboring country. “Decisions on the delivery of offensive weapons must be made unanimously at the level of the entire NATO,” said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Oslo on Tuesday evening. Poland cannot take any independent steps because it is not involved in this war.
However, the US Department of Defense rejected Poland’s proposal. As CNN reported on Wednesday night, it rejected the move as “unsustainable”. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby underscored the “complexity” of handing over the warplanes to Ukraine.
The US would continue to consult with Poland and other NATO allies on this issue and the “difficult logistical challenges involved”. “But we don’t think the Polish proposal is viable,” Kirby said. He also said the solution proposed by Poland was too risky, as the US and NATO wanted to avoid an open conflict between the alliance and Russia.
Baerbock warns against arms deliveries
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was reluctant to consider supplying Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine. One must ensure that this war does not spread to NATO territory, said Baerbock in an interview with “Bild-TV” on Tuesday.
Even with weapons deliveries, no steep template should be given for saying “we are taking part in the war,” said the Green politician. In any case, only planes that could be flown by Ukrainian pilots would come into question. (Tsp / dpa / Reuters / AFP)
