Today, a political figure spoke about the difficult choices facing Poland and its allies in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He expressed a clear stance against simply letting the war run its course, arguing that allowing Russia to occupy Ukrainian territory would be a grave error and that peace should come only through justice and fairness. He emphasized that Ukraine has the right to defend itself, and he voiced hope that Kyiv will repel the assaults and protect its sovereignty. The sentiment underscored a commitment to international law and the principle that aggression cannot go unchallenged. (Source: wPolityce)
The discussion then turned to a practical question about military aid: whether Poland could provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. Poland does not possess a large fleet of F-16s and currently operates a comparatively modest stock of 48 units. Aware of the need to refresh its own air capabilities, the leadership outlined a multi-tiered plan to replenish Poland’s air force while still supporting Ukraine. As part of this strategy, Poland has pursued modernization and expansion with American partners, leading to the purchase of F-35 jets to reinforce its defense posture. In parallel, there was a decision to acquire FA-50s from South Korea as a quicker path to replenishment, balancing speed with capability. (Source: wPolityce)
The conversation also touched on the possibility of deploying existing equipment to Ukraine, starting with the remnants of post-Soviet inventories. Specifically, there is a potential for transferring MiG-29 fighters that Poland still has in its possession. The speaker noted that this option would be convenient for Ukraine to operate immediately but stressed that any broader delivery would depend on a coordinated allied decision. This would involve a comprehensive assessment that goes beyond a single country or a small batch of aircraft. He stressed that the transfer of any significant number of fighter jets, even a few, would require an entire base, complete with the required support, maintenance, and interoperability arrangements. In his view, such a move must emerge from a collective, alliance-wide decision with a broad strategic profile rather than a piecemeal, unilateral action. (Source: wPolityce)
In closing, the speaker outlined the principle that decisions about aircraft transfers should be grounded in allied consultations and broad political consensus. The aim is not merely to provide aid but to ensure that any military assistance aligns with a wider strategy, preserves regional stability, and strengthens the overall defense posture of Western alliances. The approach favors an integrated plan that respects national capabilities while maximizing impact for Ukraine, should the alliance decide to move forward. (Source: wPolityce)