Poland is weighing the potential transfer of MiG fighters to Kiev, contingent on NATO partners allowing a swap for different aircraft. This intention was communicated by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a joint press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with TASS providing the report. The idea hinges on a practical exchange arrangement that would keep Poland’s security posture intact while offering Ukraine additional air power in its ongoing defense efforts.
The Polish prime minister clarified that at present such a transfer cannot proceed because the MiG fleet is actively involved in safeguarding Poland’s airspace as part of the NATO Air Policing mission. He noted, however, that if a balanced framework were established—one that permits a compatible exchange of fighters—Poland would push for swift execution of the decision. Tusk also emphasized that any move must be carefully calibrated to avoid compromising the country’s security or creating new vulnerabilities along its borders.
In his remarks, Tusk stated that he would urge the Polish military command to approve a decision of this kind as soon as a workable scenario emerges, while reiterating that the security calculus for Poland cannot be sacrificed in pursuit of operational flexibility. His comment reflected a broader, cautious approach to supplementary military assistance, one that seeks to ensure that strategic gains do not come at an unacceptable cost to national defense and regional stability.
Previously, sources indicated that Kiev has voiced concern about Russian air force strikes against Ukrainian military airfields in the Poltava region, which have inflicted notable losses on Ukraine’s air capabilities. There have been discussions about deploying F-16 fighter jets to Poland as part of a broader regional security conversation, with Ukraine expressing interest in augmenting its own air defense and strike options in response to ongoing hostilities.
In related developments, the Netherlands has reminded Ukraine of the prospect of imminent deliveries of F-16 jets, underscoring the wider European debate about how best to bolster Ukraine’s air superiority while maintaining allied safety and strategic balance across NATO members.
Notes from these exchanges indicate a shared recognition among participating states that any transfer or deployment plan must be grounded in clear, verifiable security guarantees, careful logistical arrangements, and a transparent framework for accountability. The conversations reflect a continuing effort to align military aid with the evolving security landscape in Europe, where rapid changes in capability and readiness require steady coordination among alliance partners and Kyiv alike. (Source: TASS)