Poland sends eight MiG-29 jets to Ukraine, plans to transfer six more
Ukraine receives eight Soviet-made MiG-29 warplanes from Poland.
The state is preparing to send six more fighter jets to Ukraine, Polish president Andrzej Duda says during the joint press conference with Ukraine's leader.
"Four MiG-29s from our warehouses and assets that were in our possession were transferred to the Ukraine's forces during the last months. Four more are being sent, that is, eight have already been delivered.
We are ready, and I told Mr. President (Volodymyr Zelensky – ed.) about this, to hand over six more, which are currently being prepared for this. They could be transferred quite quickly," Duda replied.
The Polish president also said the country has MiG-29 fighters that have been modernized according to NATO standards and are used in the NATO Air Policing mission.
Duda stressed these warplanes are still necessary to Poland itself.
At the same time, the Polish president noted with the arrival of new previously ordered aircraft, such as the South Korean FA-50 and the American F-35, the country may consider transferring these MiGs to Ukraine in the future.
Duda also said the MiGs transfer, which are used in the NATO Air Policing mission, to Ukraine requires the consent of the allies.
"After modernization, they have equipment that was sent from the USA. There is a NATO connection there. In this regard, formalities must be observed," he said.
Earlier, Poland completed the transfer of the first MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine.
It was a part of the joint agreement with Slovakia. Poland and Slovakia plan to send a total of 33 MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine.
Poland purchased 48 South Korean FA-50 aircraft.
Ukraine's defense minister Oleksii Reznikov stated the MiG-29 aircraft would significantly strengthen the air defense. He is sure Western allies will make a final decision on sending modern aircraft to Ukraine.
On April 5, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife arrived on an official visit to Poland.
The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, honored Zelensky with the highest Polish award – the Order of the White Eagle.
