Ukraine war: US, Poland working on supplying Russian-made jets to Kyiv

The idea was floated by Ukrainian President Zelensky during a video call with US lawmakers

The senators said they supported the aircraft transfer plan, which could involve Russian-made planes on which Ukrainian pilots are trained

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Military jets fly during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus drills in February. Photo: AP

Published: 10:00am, 6 Mar 2022Updated: 12:45pm, 9 Mar 2022

The US is working with Poland and consulting other Nato allies on possibly having those countries supply warplanes to Ukraine for use against Russian forces, a White House spokesperson said.

The idea, though rejected by several eastern European members of the alliance this week, was floated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a video call with a large group of US lawmakers on Saturday. Several said afterward that they support an aircraft transfer, which could involve Russian-made planes on which Ukrainian pilots are trained.

President Joe Biden’s administration is considering finding replacements for any fighter jets Poland might send from its fleet to Ukraine, the spokesperson said.

The decision is Poland’s to make, the spokesperson said, adding that there are logistical and other challenges, including how to transfer aircraft from Poland to Ukraine.

“It’s no secret that the highest demand that we have is in fighting jets, attack aircraft and air defence systems,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Polish-Ukrainian border on Saturday.

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