Ukraine’s close ally Poland has warned sending fighter jets to Kiev is “not an easy decision” after Rishi Sunak Zelenskyy dodged an appeal
- Poland says there are “serious problems” supplying fighter jets to Ukraine
Ukraine’s close ally Poland has warned that sending fighter jets to Ukraine was “not an easy decision” – after Rishi Sunak dodged Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeal.
Polish President Andrzej Duda warned that there were “serious problems” with getting planes deployed in Kiev to resist the Russian invasion.
In a BBC interview, Mr Duda said Poland did not have enough F16s left and pointed out that they need maintenance and technical support crews on the ground.
The comments came after President Zelenskyy visited London, Paris and Brussels and urged allies to supply jets.
As Vladimir Putin gathers forces for an expected spring offensive, Zelensky pleaded for “wings for freedom” and warned that without more air power there was a serious risk that the conflict would “stagnate”.
Polish President Andrzej Duda warned that there were “serious problems” with getting planes deployed in Kiev to resist the Russian invasion
Mr Sunak announced during Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit last week (pictured) that Ukrainian pilots will begin training on Britain’s Typhoons and F-35s
In a BBC interview, Mr Duda said Poland didn’t have enough F16s left (on file picture) and pointed out that they need on-site maintenance and technical support crews
Mr. Sunak announced during Mr. Zelensky’s visit that Ukrainian pilots will begin training on the British Typhoons and F-35s.
The PM insisted “nothing is off the table” on whether planes would be offered.
Boris Johnson was among those who called on Britain to hand over jets and more tanks to thwart Russian aggression.
However, Mr Sunak downplayed the prospect that jets could be deployed soon, arguing it would be years before pilots and ground crew were ready to operate them.
Experts have also questioned whether the British plane would be the best option for Ukraine, suggesting the Swedish flu or F16 are more realistic.
Through an interpreter on BBC Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Duda said the Nato allies had to make a “joint decision” on the delivery of jets. Although Ukraine receives strong support from the military alliance, it is not a full member.
He emphasized that “it’s not just about the jets” because “you also need maintenance and technical background, technical service”.
“So it’s not enough to just send a few jets, and a problem we face – at least in Poland – is this: we have such jets, but they are less than 50. So that’s actually the only one Inventory of jets that we have.
“That poses a serious problem if we donate even a small portion of it anywhere. ‘Cause I don’t hesitate to say we don’t have enough of these jets. We need a lot more of them.”
He added: “A decision today to donate any type of jets, all F16s, to be donated outside of Poland is a very serious decision. And that’s not easy for us to take.’
During his visit last week, Mr Zelensky presented Speaker Lindsay Hoyle with a pilot’s helmet with a request for “wings for freedom”.