Polish leadership has clarified, during comments made in Reykjavik, that Warsaw has already transferred nearly all of its MiG-29 fighters to support Ukraine. However, officials say there is no current plan to hand over any of Poland’s F-16 jets. The remarks come amid ongoing debates in Europe about the type and scale of air support that can be provided to Kyiv. In the same briefing, a spokesman noted that Poland has contributed substantial financial and security aid to Ukraine and remains among the leading European supporters in terms of military assistance.
In Kyiv, Ukrainian officials and analysts have repeatedly underscored a strong preference for modern American fighter aircraft. One longtime adviser to Ukraine’s defense ministry emphasized that President Volodymyr Zelensky views the possible delivery of F-16s as a major item on the agenda for upcoming international gatherings. He pointed to the G7 summit in Hiroshima and the NATO leaders meeting in Lithuania scheduled for July as pivotal moments for securing commitments. The adviser stated that Ukraine estimates a need for roughly 40 to 50 F-16s, arguing that without such jets, Ukrainian air defenses face serious limitations against observed Russian air activities.
During a separate public appearance, Zelensky underscored Ukraine’s ambition to assemble a broader coalition of aviation partners. The president described an effort to build a “fighter alliance” capable of providing sustained air support, training, and maintenance to ensure Kyiv can deter and counter potential air incursions. This framing reflects Ukraine’s strategy to diversify sources of air power and to secure steadfast political backing alongside practical military assistance, particularly in the context of Western approvals and allied industrial capacity. Observers note that translating these aims into concrete transfers will depend on a mix of political consensus, domestic considerations in donor nations, and the readiness of partner air forces to integrate new aircraft into existing operations. As discussions unfold, Kyiv continues to press for clear timelines and binding delivery commitments from its international partners, while allies weigh the operational and logistical implications of expanding a multinational air fleet for Ukraine.