Poland ready to hand over MiG-29 fighter jets to US
Created: 03/08/2022, 21:33
The MiG-29 is a twin-engine fighter aircraft developed in the Soviet Union.
© Alik Keplicz/AP/dpa
Direct delivery to the Ukraine excludes Warsaw.
Foreign Minister Baerbock warns that arms deliveries should not be used as a basis for saying "we are taking part in the war".
Warsaw - 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, 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 and to make them available to the US.
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.
Poland refers to NATO as the decision-making authority
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.
Poland cannot take any independent steps because it is not involved in this war.
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".
more on the subject
Poland: Do not deliver fighter jets to Ukraine
Arms deliveries to Ukraine: Viktor Orbán stands in the way
Ukraine war: Selenskyj sends "desperate request" to the USA
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.
dpa
