KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A week after winning contracts for advanced modern tanks, Ukraine is pushing its Western allies for fighter jets. After about a year of war, to help defeat the Russian invasion force.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov is in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the delivery of fighter jets. It is expected that it will be on the agenda of talks to Ukraine.
After months of impasse, Ukrainian officials last week convinced Western allies. To send tanks. The decision came despite hesitation and caution from some NATO members, including the United States and Germany.
There was no sign that a decision on the warplanes was imminent in Ukraine, and that Western countries had changed their previous stance on the issue. Some Western leaders have expressed concern that the move could escalate the year-long conflict and lead to war.
The British government, one of Kiev’s strongest diplomatic backers and military suppliers, said it was “impractical” to send the fighter jets.
“The UK’s Hurricane and F-35 fighter jets are highly sophisticated and will take months to learn how to fly,” said Max Blaine, a spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“In light of that, we believe it would not be practical to send those jets to Ukraine,” he said on Tuesday, although he did not say the UK would oppose sending the planes to other countries.
US President Joe Biden was asked by a reporter on Monday if his administration was considering sending Ukraine F-16 fighter jets to which he replied, “No.”
Kiev officials have repeatedly urged their allies to send jets. The tanks have recently been promised by Western countries to challenge Russian air superiority and are essential to the success of future counterattacks.
Ukraine’s allies have said they will not provide Kiev with long-range missiles capable of hitting Russian territory, indicating a similarly wary stance on warplanes.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who was asked about the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine on Tuesday, repeated the Kremlin’s opinion that “NATO has long been involved in a hybrid war against Russia.”
After talks in Moscow with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the Russian military will “take all necessary measures to achieve the Western plans,” he said.
Shukri said he had conveyed the message sent by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about Ukraine, which had previously repeated calls from Washington to withdraw from Russia.
Lavrov said: “Russia is ready to listen to anything serious – I want to underline this word – aimed at providing a comprehensive solution to the current situation.”
Ukraine and Russia are believed to be increasing their weapons stockpiles for an expected attack in the coming months. The war was mostly closed on the battlefield during the winter.
As in previous debates about how to help Ukraine, Poland has been a leading advocate in the EU for military aid. Poland, Slovakia and the Baltic states on NATO’s eastern flank felt particularly threatened by Russia.
Asked about Lithuania’s call for fighter jets and Ukraine’s long-range missiles, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the comments “reflect an aggressive approach by the Baltic states and Poland.” “
Peskov said in a conference call with reporters, “It is very unfortunate that the leaders of the big European countries who are promoting the European agenda are not playing their balanced role.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that France would not rule out sending fighter jets to Ukraine, but set several conditions before taking such a significant step.
The conditions include not escalating tensions or using the aircraft to “touch Russian soil” and not weakening “the capabilities of the French military,” he said.
In addition, Ukraine should officially request the planes, which may happen when Reznikov is sitting in Paris for talks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who appeared reluctant to offer fighter jets, suggested on Sunday that the reason for the talks could be “domestic political motives” in some countries.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said there is nothing off limits in efforts to help Ukraine. But sending the jets is “the next big step,” he added.
The president of NATO member Croatia criticized Western countries for supplying Ukraine with heavy tanks and other weapons. President Zoran Milanovic argued. Sending those weapons will only prolong the war.
Earlier in the conflict, discussions focused on the possibility of supplying Kiev with Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets, familiar to Ukrainian pilots. In March, the Pentagon rejected Poland’s proposal to move MiG-29 fighter jets to Kyiv via a US base in Germany, citing the high risk of escalating Russia and NATO.
Western warplanes provide great support to Ukraine, but dealing with Russia’s massive air force is still a big challenge.
Ukraine inherited Soviet-made warplanes, including Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-25 ground attack aircraft.
Switching to Western aircraft would require lengthy training for Ukrainian workers and would also add logistical challenges related to maintenance and repair.
In the opening phase of the conflict, Russia strategically targeted Ukrainian airfields and air defense batteries, but Ukraine has been clever in relocating its warplanes and hiding its air defense assets, as Russia has lost full control of the skies.
After suffering heavy losses earlier in the conflict, the Russian Air Force has refrained from entering Ukrainian airspace and has focused mostly on close support missions along the frontline.
The Ukrainian Air Force faces a similar challenge in trying to keep its remaining warplanes from being hit by Russian fighter jets and air defense systems.
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