‘We are also a frontline state”: Poland comments on Zelensky’s accusations about MiG-29
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed complaints against Poland, claiming that despite the agreements, Warsaw found an excuse not to transfer old MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski explained his position.
According to polsatnews.pl, Sikorski stressed that although Ukraine was in difficult circumstances, Poland had made significant efforts to support it from the very beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
‘As the West, we have provided assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 200 billion euros… Among the countries that help Ukraine, if we take into account military, financial, economic, humanitarian and assistance to Ukrainian refugees, in proportion to GDP, Poland has done more for Ukraine than any other country,’ the minister said.
Sikorski stressed that Poland is proud of its solidarity with Ukraine, mentioning the transfer of almost 300 tanks and a significant number of heavy equipment and aircraft.
‘We are trying to help, but we are also a frontline country. Russia also threatens us, and not everything is possible,’ the minister added.
Earlier, Polish President Andrzej Duda noted that the country is currently unable to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets, despite the July agreement.
‘We gave what we could give. And we gave it quickly, and we really gave it when it was needed. And I personally believe that this is our great pride. It’s just that two years have passed since then. And it’s hard, I’m sorry to say, life is cruel,’ he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted harshly to Poland’s position.
‘We really wanted to receive MiGs from Poland, but they could not give us them because they did not have enough of their own. Therefore, we agreed with NATO that they would provide them with a police mission, like our Baltic friends… We agreed on that. And what happened after that? Did Poland give us aircraft? No. Did they find another reason? Yes,’ Zelensky stressed.
