Poland names two reasons delaying transfer of MiG jets to Ukraine

Deputy Polish Defence Minister Paweł Zalewski has stated that Ukraine is not showing sufficient interest in receiving Polish MiG-29 fighter jets

Source: European Pravda, citing Zalewski's interview with RMF24

Details: Zalewski explained that the delay in the transfer of Polish fighter jets to Ukraine, first announced at the end of last year, is due to two factors. Firstly, according to Zalewski, Ukrainians want aircraft adapted to modern combat conditions, while Poland is not prepared to cover these costs.

"The second reason is that the transfer was supposed to be reciprocal, and today we are discussing cooperation in the field of drone technologies. These talks have not yet been concluded. This is more an industry matter than one for the Ministry of Defence. I would not look for any serious problems here," Zalewski added.

Zalewski said that Ukraine is currently not actively seeking Poland as an ally, in particular due to the controversy surrounding the naming of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces unit after heroes of Ukraine's Insurgent Army.

"[Polish] President Nawrocki believes that fuelling anti-Ukrainian sentiment is a good way to win votes. This is very damaging for Poland," Zalewski said.

Meanwhile, he denied that the delay in MiG deliveries is a form of pressure on Ukraine to change the unit's name.

For reference: The Ukrainian Insurgent Army, or UPA, was a nationalist paramilitary organisation that fought for Ukrainian independence during and after World War II, primarily against Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Poland believes that the UPA was responsible for what it considers the genocide of Poles during the Volyn (Volhynia) tragedy, a series of events that led to the ethnic cleansing of the Polish and Ukrainian populations in 1943. The tragedy was part of a long-standing rivalry between Ukrainians and Poles in what is now Ukraine's west.

Background:

• On 15 June, Polish Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk said that negotiations between Poland and Ukraine on the planned transfer of MiG-29 fighters are ongoing. He explained that the deliveries have not yet taken place because Poland is awaiting a resolution on the transfer of Ukrainian drone technologies.
• Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in January that Ukraine and Poland are deepening cooperation in the defence sector, including strengthening the Air Force, and will jointly work on the modernisation of MiG-29 fighters that Poland plans to transfer.

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