The Kremlin mentioned on Friday that fighter jets given to Ukraine by Poland and Slovakia can be destroyed, and reiterated that Western arms deliveries to Kyiv wouldn’t change Russia’s navy goals.
“The provision of this navy gear, as we’ve repeatedly mentioned, won’t change the result of the particular navy operation … after all, all this gear will likely be destroyed,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed journalists, utilizing the official time period for Moscow’s navy intervention.
“You get the sensation that these international locations are simply eliminating previous, unneeded gear.”
Duda mentioned of the Polish planes that “they’re within the final years of their functioning, however they’re in good working situation”.
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Poland was additionally the primary Nato nation to supply Ukraine with German-made Leopard 2 tanks.
On Wednesday, Polish authorities spokesman Piotr Mueller mentioned another international locations additionally had pledged MiGs to Kyiv, however didn’t establish them. Each Poland and Slovakia had beforehand indicated they have been prepared handy over planes, however solely as a part of a wider worldwide coalition doing the identical.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned on Thursday that the controversy about sending fighter jets was ongoing.
“That is one thing we’re discussing within the group of allied international locations. It’s a giant want from Ukraine,” she mentioned.
The federal government in neighbouring Nato member Germany appeared caught off guard by Duda’s announcement.
“To date, everybody has agreed that it’s not the time to ship fighter jets,” German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius instructed reporters. “I don’t have any affirmation from Poland but that this has occurred.”
“There’s no change in our view with respect to fighter plane right now,” White Home Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby mentioned. “That’s our sovereign determination. That’s the place we’re, different nations can converse to their very own” selections.
The White Home mentioned Poland notified the US of its determination to supply MiGs earlier than Duda introduced the transfer.
Earlier than Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine had a number of dozen MiG-29s it inherited within the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, however it’s unclear what number of stay in service after greater than a 12 months of preventing.
The controversy over whether or not to supply non-Nato member Ukraine with fighter jets began final 12 months, however Nato allies expressed concern about escalating the alliance’s function within the struggle.
The hesitation continued at the same time as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made more and more vocal pleas for Western supporters to share their warplanes.
Duda mentioned Poland’s air drive would change the planes it provides to Ukraine with South Korea-made FA-50 fighters and American-made F-35s.
Poland has supplied Ukraine with essential assist throughout the struggle. It’s internet hosting 1000’s of American troops and brought in additional Ukrainians than some other nation throughout the refugee exodus sparked by Russia’s invasion. Poland skilled Russian invasions and occupations for hundreds of years.
Slovakia will obtain 200 million euros (US$213 million) from the European Union as compensation and arms from the USA value 700 million euros (US$745 million) in trade for giving its MiG-29 fleet to Ukraine, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad mentioned.
Slovakia grounded its MiGs final 12 months on account of a scarcity of spare elements and experience to assist keep them after Russian technicians returned residence. Fellow Nato members Poland and the Czech Republic stepped in to watch Slovak air area.
Further reporting by Agence France-Presse and Reuters
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