Issue of jets for Ukraine "will be resolved positively" – Ukraine's top diplomat
The issue of providing jets to Ukraine "will be resolved positively," says Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, adding that Ukraine is constantly working to create an aviation coalition.
"We're constantly working on building an aviation coalition or jet coalition as some call it," the minister told Ukrinform in a comment. "Indeed, given the complexity of technology and aircraft maintenance, we will need a collective decision here."
Kuleba also said that no country has said "yes" so far, but no country has said "no," so providing jets to Ukraine is a completely open option.
"I think that, in the end, this issue will be resolved positively, but given the technological complexity of the issue, this decision will take some time," said Kuleba.
Ukraine's top diplomat emphasized that Ukraine needs fighter jets because they can perform two important functions. The first function is to be a part of Ukraine's air defense system, strengthening air defense systems to intercept and destroy aerial targets. And the second one is to cover ground forces' defensive and offensive actions from the air, the minister said.
Earlier, Dmytro Kuleba called on the countries that can potentially provide Ukraine with aircraft to train Ukrainian pilots before a political decision is made on providing jets.
The issue of supplying combat fighter jets to Ukraine is constantly in focus during discussions with the USA. Defense Minister Reznikov stated that Ukraine is conducting negotiations on the search for a platform to receive jets.
In turn, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that NATO should make the decision to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
