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Poland-Slovakia Urge Western Allies to Immediately Send Fighter Jets to Ukraine. PHOTO/Reuters
WARSAW – The officials at Poland and Slovakia urged their allies to prepare fighter jets the Ukraine . The two countries said they were ready to send their Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets to Kiev as part of an international coalition.
However, it remains unclear whether any other Western supporters of Ukraine are ready to take that step. “I think it’s time to make a decision. People in Ukraine are dying. We can really help them,” said Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad, as quoted by AP, Friday (10/3/2023).
“This is inhumane and irresponsible,” he continued. Slovak and Polish officials have made previous calls, but have renewed their appeals in recent days. Both countries are members of NATO.
Earlier, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on CNN that Poland is ready to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighters in coalition with other countries.
Nad also said it was a matter of discussion between himself and his Polish counterpart at a meeting in Sweden on Wednesday and they agreed on the matter.
Poland’s Ministry of Defense said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that Poland is “ready to hand over our MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine as part of the international coalition.”
Ukraine has asked Western fighter jets to strengthen its defenses as the war enters its second year. While Kiev has secured pledges of tanks, some of them have already arrived.
However, until now there is still no sign that major countries such as the United States and Britain will agree to send their warplanes.
(esn)
