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Two MiG-29 jets (top and bottom respectively) of the Polish Air Force
Photo: Alik Keplicz/AP
According to Poland, it is ready to deliver its MiG-29 fighter jets to the United States, which could make them available to Ukraine.
Poland is ready to deliver the Soviet fighter jets to the US base in Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate and to make them available to the US “free of charge and immediately”, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday evening.
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 said it was 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," Blinken said in Moldova.
US surprised
According to the US State Department, Poland's decision on Tuesday evening was not discussed in advance with the Washington government.
Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said at a Senate hearing.
"I look forward to returning to my desk after this hearing is over and seeing how we respond to this proposal to give us the planes."
At the same time, Nuland said that consultations with Poland on the subject had been going on for days.
Even when asked several times, she did not want to commit to the USA taking part in the handover of the aircraft.
Warsaw had repeatedly ruled out direct delivery to the neighboring country.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday that any decision to give Ukraine offensive weapons would have to be taken unanimously by the entire NATO.
That is why Poland is ready to transfer its machines to Ramstein.
"But we're not prepared to take any steps alone," said Morawiecki.
Poland is not part of the war in Ukraine.
Baerbock reserved
Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been asking the West for warplanes to defend itself against Russian airstrikes.
Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria are the EU member states that still have Soviet-made MiG-29s in service.
These models are or were also in the inventory of the Ukrainian Air Force, whose pilots are trained on this type (read more about this here).
Poland called on those NATO member states that also have MiG-29s to follow its example.
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.
ngo/dpa/afp/Reuters
