Economy, Trade and Finance: Round Two / Poland: No combat aircraft delivered to Ukraine

Warsaw Poland has again denied reports that the country plans to supply Ukraine with Soviet-designed combat aircraft. The Warsaw government said on Twitter on Sunday, “Poland will not send its fighter planes to Ukraine and will not allow the use of its airports. We are greatly assisting in many other areas.” She referred to a statement issued by the Polish General Staff on Thursday. It said all Polish MiG-29 combat aircraft remained at their original bases and were also marked with the red and white national emblem of the Polish Air Force.

Several media had earlier reported that Poland would provide MiG fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for F-16 fighter jets from the United States.

At a press conference in Moldova, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken emphasized these considerations in response to a question: “We are currently actively discussing the issue of aircraft that Poland can provide to Ukraine. And how we can deliver them if Poland (…) decides to deliver these aircraft. ” There is no timeline for this, but you look at it “very actively”.

A government spokesman in Warsaw said the discussion over the plane’s delivery was still continuing and no decision had yet been taken. It also does not correspond to the facts that planes take off from Poland for combat purposes on the territory of Ukraine.

Blinken said they are in talks with the Ukrainian government about what is needed there. “Once we have that assessment, we’ll see what we and our allies and partners can offer,” Blinken said. He recalled that within a year, the United States had already provided more than $1 billion in support of Ukraine’s security.