Ukraine May Receive MiG-29 Squadron From Poland But Under What Conditions
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk signed the Agreement on Security Cooperation between two states during Zelenskyy’s visit to Poland on Monday, July 8. Under this agreement, Poland will continue supporting Ukraine for ten years of the document’s validity.
The full text of the agreement was published on the website of the President of Ukraine. Some details were also announced at a press conference on the occasion of the signing of the security agreements. The agreement also provides for the creation of Ukrainian Legion, cooperation in the defense industry, and the functioning of a logistics hub, etc.
An interesting fact is that the document determined the possibility of intercepting missiles and drones in Ukrainian airspace launched by russian occupation forces in the direction of Poland.
However, it should be noted that this document is only outlines the intention to work in this direction. Poland’s further actions will depend on coordination with other NATO member states. This is emphasized by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk as well.
The document also states that Poland will consider providing Ukraine with at least one additional MiG-29 squadron (minimum 14 fighter jets). But there are some conditions. In particular, Tusk said that Poland could not just give away these aircraft, because they “watch over our skies” and carry out NATO Air Policing mission.
The Prime Minister of Poland emphasized that the transfer of the aircraft is possible only if NATO partners are able to replace these jets with other ones. However, he did not specify whether it is the so-called circular exchange, when Poland receives new aircraft in exchange for MiG-29s, or whether other NATO member states will provide their aircraft to patrol the Polish skies.
“Of course I will persuade our partners here in Poland to implement this kind of decision as soon as possible. But I emphasize that I said this honestly to the President: this cannot be a restriction on Poland’s security,” Donald Tusk emphasized.
Tusk notes that they “want to be serious” and carefully declare about what they can actually do. But at the same time, Tusk says that they have to take care of “basic security issues on our territory.”
Earlier War Ukraine-Russia News Hub reported that children’s hospital had been hit in a combined 40-missile attack on Ukraine.