Ukraine has been pleading for air support from NATO in the form of a "no-fly" zone over its cities, and failing that, supplies of MiG jet aircraft still in possession of eastern European countries. There are Ukrainian pilots able and willing to fly the MiGs, which would have to have Ukrainian Air Force markings applied before taking off. Poland offered up it's stock, with the understanding that the U.S. would replace them with American F-16s. Then, Poland said the jets would be turned over to the U.S. at Rammstein Air Base in Germany, reportedly catching the U.S. by surprise. In the muddle, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby tried to explain:
"'It is simply not clear to us that there is a substantive rationale for it,' Kirby said. 'We will continue to consult with Poland and our other NATO allies about this issue and the difficult logistical challenges it presents, but we do not believe Poland's proposal is a tenable one.'
Kirby said that the decision about transferring Polish-owned planes to Ukraine was 'ultimately one for the Polish government,' adding that the proposal shows the complexities that the issue presents as Russia has made threatening statements over arms being provided to Ukrainians for use against Russian forces.
The idea as laid out by Poland was too risky, Kirby said, as the US and NATO seek to avoid an outright conflict between the alliance and Russia.
'The prospect of fighter jets 'at the disposal of the Government of the United States of America' departing from a U.S./NATO base in Germany to fly into airspace that is contested with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for the entire NATO alliance,' Kirby said."
Translation: It would have been OK for Poland to release the planes from their airbases directly to Ukraine, but deal the U.S. out if it involves our facility. How did the U.S. think the MiGs were going to get to Ukraine? Kirby seemed to suggest that America is more "NATO" than Poland when it comes to Russian threats against NATO countries aiding Ukraine.
Vice President Harris will be traveling to Poland and Romania today, and will have to deal with this messy issue that seemed to have been mishandled from the start.
(photo: Polish MiG-29. Bartosz Glowaki / Breaking Defense)
