A former commanding general of the United States Army Europe stated on Friday that the West should provide Kyiv with fighter jets. In General (Ret) Ben Hodges statement, he believes this action could lead to a victory for Kyiv within the year. However, not everyone is willing to make this step, with Moscow repeatedly warning it will retaliate against any such moves.
Slovakia and Poland Signal Help with fighter Jets
At a recent EU summit, both Slovakia and Poland signaled a willingness to send fighter jets to Ukraine. Since receiving pledges of battle tanks last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made fighter jets his current battle cry for support from Western partners to help Ukrainian troops in the Russian war. Speaking in Belgium, London and Paris in recent days, Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated, “I appeal to you and the world with the simple, and yet most important words – combat aircraft for Ukraine, wings for freedom.”
Eduard Heger, prime minister of Slovakia, told Zelenskyy: “You can count on our help”, in response to the fighter jet request. Slovakia stated earlier that it could hand over 11 Soviet-built MiG-29s to Ukraine immediately, but they would need NATO air cover until the arrival of American F-16, expected early in 2024.
Poland’s Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki also provided a willingness to send jets to Ukraine during his meeting with Zelenskyy. Poland has MiG-29 aircraft and is also waiting delivery of U.S. fighters. Later in the week, Poland ruled out the possibility of delivering fighter jets to Ukraine without allied agreement. Poland’s President, Andrzej Duda stated Sunday that sending F-16 aircraft was a “very serious decision” and as such would have to be made jointly with NATO allies. Duda said Poland has fewer than 50 – F-16 aircraft, which he says are not enough for Poland.
Poland has potentially carried the heaviest burden of any border country during the past year, receiving more eight million Ukrainians since the Russia invasion in February of 2022. The majority of NATO assistance to the Ukraine has been delivered through Poland. Sharing more than a 300 mile border with Ukraine, the Russian potential spring offensive in Ukraine is forcing Poland to prepare for conflict with Moscow.
Other Responses from NATO Allies
Poland is not the only country providing inconsistent messages to Kyiv. The West has refused to send fighter jets to Kyiv, concerned over potential escalation of the war or becoming further embroiled in the conflict. Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte expressed his reservations, “You have to make absolutely sure you are not getting into an Article 5 direct confrontation between NATO and Russia,” in a reference to a collective NATO defense provision.
After Zelenskyy’s visit to the London on Wednesday last week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated he desires to provide additional support to Ukraine including potential fighter jets, but the first step was training Ukrainian pilots. Russia warned London after the Ukrainian President’s visit against sending fighter jets to Ukraine. Moscow stated the jets would have serious ramifications with the resulting bloodshed, and “military and political consequences for the European continent and the entire world” would be on London’s conscience.
UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace stated over the weekend that supplying aircraft to Ukraine would potentially take months and the UK is focused on alternative provision by using long-range missiles and drones. These are tough follow-on comments for the Ukrainian President, after former PM Boris Johnson’s suggestions that the UK could provide 100 Typhoon warplanes.
The U.S. Offers Unwavering Support
Last week, Washington reiterated that the U.S. will not be giving Ukraine Lockheed Martin-made F-16s. Even though the press is vacillating on the topic of fighter support, official U.S. discussions continue to remain close hold.
President Joe Biden will travel to Poland on February 20 to rally the allied support a year after Russia’s invasion. The White House says President Biden will meet with Polish President Duda and NATO leadership and allies in Eastern Europe, to discuss his “unwavering support”.
According to AP last week, polling suggests support is waning for growing the more than 50-billion-dollar Ukrainian war support effort. Further, Republicans who recently took control of the House are skeptical and/or oppose continued funding.
