US and Poland are in discussion to give Soviet-era planes to Ukraine as Zelensky asks for fighter jets

After a mission during the exercise Aviadarts, a Russian Air Force MiG-29SMT lands in Ryazan, Russia.- Image Credit

US and Poland are in discussion to give Soviet-era planes to Ukraine as Zelensky asks for fighter jets.

Multiple media sources reported on Saturday that US officials are in negotiations with Poland over an agreement that might eventually let Ukraine get more fighter jets.

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has asked the United States and other NATO countries to give the country warplanes so that it can defend itself against a full-scale Russian assault that has seen missiles rain down on Ukrainian cities.

According to Politico, the US is mulling a deal in which it would provide fighter jets to Poland in exchange for Ukraine getting used to MiG-29s from the Soviet era. Officials reportedly told The Wall Street Journal that the agreement would require White House and congressional approval and that the US would send F-16 fighter jets to Poland.

The White House did not respond to an Insider request for comment right away.

According to Politico, a White House spokeswoman said, "We are working with the Poles on this matter and discussing with the other of our NATO members." "We're also looking into what capabilities we might be able to supply to backfill Poland if it decides to send planes to Ukraine."

The talks with Poland were reported after Zelensky held a Zoom call with hundreds of members of Congress earlier on Saturday. Zelensky reaffirmed his proposal for NATO to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, which the US and NATO oppose. He stated that if such a zone is not declared, they can at the very least send additional planes.

"Zelensky's message is simple: 'shut the skies or give us planes,'" says the source. After the call, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse issued a statement. "Let's be honest about our choices: A No-Fly Zone would pit American pilots against Russian fighter jets and air defenses in a nuclear arms race that might soon spiral out of hand. However, the United States should send planes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine."

After Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on February 26 that he has authorized $350 million in military assistance to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, the US had already deployed weaponry to Ukraine. Stinger missiles, which can be used to shoot down Russian helicopters, were handed to Ukraine earlier this week by the United States.

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