Published: 2022-03-09 – 17:40
Poland has stated that it is ready to send its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, which Kyiv insistently demands. But Warsaw, fearing the spread of the conflict, returned this decision to the hands of the United States and NATO. Washington and Berlin opposed, also citing the risk of expanding the conflict.
The unexpected announcement caused diplomatic confusion with Washington. Poland took the Americans by surprise on Tuesday, April 8, declaring that it was “ready to transfer all its MiG-29s to the Ramstein base without delay and free of charge.” [en Allemagne] and make them available to the United States government to deliver them to Ukraine, which has been in the grip of a Russian invasion since February 24.
The offer was immediately rejected by Washington, which fears an expansion of the conflict, as Russia warned that it would consider sending such aircraft by a third country as direct participation in the war in Ukraine. “We do not consider the Polish proposal to be viable,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. According to him, the decision to transfer Polish aircraft to Ukraine “ultimately rests with the Polish government.”
However, US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is visiting Poland on Wednesday, is expected to discuss with Polish leaders how to provide “military assistance” to Ukraine, according to US administration officials who requested anonymity.
Poland hopes for NATO
Another pole extended by Poland, Warsaw said on Wednesday that it was ready to put its combat aircraft at the disposal of Ukraine through NATO, of which it is a member. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that this is a “very serious decision” that all members of the NATO alliance must take, as it affects security in a broad sense. “We did not agree to supply aircraft on our own, because this should be the decision of the entire NATO,” he added.
According to the Polish leader, the decision to transfer the MiG-29 to Ukraine, which is fighting the Russian invasion, is now in the hands of NATO and the United States.
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continued to beg Westerners “as soon as possible” to send him fighter jets, starting with the MiG-29s offered by Warsaw. “Make a decision as soon as possible, send us planes!” he told Westerners in a new video posted Wednesday on his Telegram channel. He thanked Warsaw for offering to send those fighters to Ukraine, but expressed regret that “no decision” “has been made.” [encore] He was taken”.
Germany’s refusal to involve NATO in a military response
On the European side, Germany cut off the Polish momentum. The question of whether NATO should supply Ukraine with Polish MiG-29 fighters is not currently under discussion, a German government spokesman said on Wednesday. The Foreign Ministry spokesman added that any decision must be made to ensure that the war in Ukraine does not spill over to NATO.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was of the same opinion on Wednesday, saying a military solution to the Ukraine conflict made no sense and instead hoped a solution could be found through talks between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he confirmed that Germany would not send fighter jets to Ukraine.
Poland “in the direct line of fire” from Russia and Belarus?
Only a few Eastern European countries, former members of the Warsaw Pact, officially have MiG-29s in their fleet, the capabilities of which best suit the needs of Ukraine.
Poland has about 30 of these Soviet-designed aircraft, but according to media reports, only 23 are technically ready to be sent to Ramstein, the largest US air base in Europe.
In London, assuring Poland of its support, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Tuesday that the supply of Polish aircraft to Ukraine was a Warsaw decision that would be “a good thing” but could put Poland “into the direct line of fire.” from Russia and Belarus.
With AFP
