Poland Ready to Transfer MiG Fighter Jets to Ukraine under One Condition

Polish National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the Polish side could transfer its MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, as requested by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, only after it receives a more modern replacement.

This was reported by Wirtualna Polska.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that he would like to get Poland to agree to the transfer of Soviet-model fighters, including MiGs.

The head of the Polish Defence Ministry said he understood the Ukrainian president, but stressed that Poland makes decisions through the prism of its security and has already done everything it could for Ukraine.

‘I know that Ukraine needs a lot of weapons, but our partners from Ukraine must also understand that the Polish state must maintain its capabilities. And this is a priority for me as Minister of Defence,’ he added.

Regarding the transfer of Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine, Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that such decisions can only be made after the Polish Air Force is reinforced with new aircraft, including the F-35s ordered from the United States.

‘Only after receiving the new aircraft will it be possible to dispose of old aircraft, such as MiG-29s, which are still being used, among other things, to carry out missions to protect Polish airspace. Then we will make a decision,’ he added.

In July, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Poland could consider giving Ukraine additional Soviet-model fighter jets if it could find a replacement for them together with its allies.

As previously reported by The Gaze, on 27 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would like to get Poland's consent to transfer Soviet-made fighters, including MiG aircraft, to Kyiv.