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Kyiv, Jan. 31 (AP) — Ukraine won support from the Baltic states and Poland on Tuesday in its quest to acquire Western fighter jets, but there was no sign that major powers such as the United States and Britain have changed their stance on refusing to send fighter jets to Kyiv. Almost a year of fighting the Russian invasion force.
“Ukraine needs fighter jets … missiles, tanks. We need action,” Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu told a news conference with his Baltic and Polish colleagues in the Latvian capital Riga. Those countries on NATO’s eastern flank feel particularly threatened by Russia and have been leading advocates of providing military assistance.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov held talks with his French counterpart, saying they did not discuss specific fighter jets, but they did discuss an aviation “platform” to help Ukraine’s surface-to-air defense.
“I don’t know how quickly Western allies will respond to Kyiv’s request for fighter jets,” Reznikov said. “I’m optimistic, I think it will be as soon as possible.”
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He also listed the weapons Ukraine had sought over the past year, starting with the stinger, and said the first response was always “impossible”. But eventually, he said, “it became possible.”
Speaking with Reznikov, French Defense Minister Sebastien Le Cornou said there was “no taboo” to send the fighter jets. He also confirmed that France would send 12 more Caesar cannons in the coming weeks.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that France would not rule out sending the fighter jets, but set conditions before taking the step, including that it would not lead to an escalation of tensions or use the aircraft “to touch Russian territory” and would not lead to Reduced “capabilities of the French army.”
Reznikov’s trip comes a week after Western countries pledged to send advanced modern tanks to Kyiv.
Several Western leaders have expressed concern that providing fighter jets could escalate the conflict and draw them deeper.
The British government, one of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters and military suppliers, said it was “impractical” to send its fighter jets. Max Blain, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said on Tuesday that “the Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets in the UK are so advanced that it will take months to learn how to fly them,” though he did not say London was against other countries sending planes.
Asked on Monday whether his administration was considering sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden replied: “No.”
On Tuesday, Reznikoff was asked whether Biden’s “no” to the F-16 was final. . The second stage is “Let’s talk and study the technical possibilities”. The third phase is, “Let’s train your people.” The fourth phase is the transfer of (equipment). “
Reznikov said Ukraine went through these stages before acquiring the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the Bradley armored vehicle and the 155mm gun. “Remember the story of the German leopard – the answer is ‘no,’ too,” he added.
“Now we have a tank alliance. So I believe an aircraft alliance is within reach. But first there should be a leader. That’s why I’m here.”
Kyiv has repeatedly urged allies to send the jets, saying they are crucial to challenging Russia’s air superiority and ensuring the success of future counterattacks led by Western tanks.
The West has also ruled out supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles capable of hitting Russian territory, citing a potential escalation.
After months of haggling, the Western allies agreed last week to send the tanks, despite hesitation and caution from some NATO members.
German Chancellor Olaf Schulz appeared hesitant to supply the fighter jets, suggesting on Sunday that the reason for the discussions could be “domestic political motivations” in some countries.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Monday that there was “no taboo” in efforts to help Ukraine, but added that the jets “would be a very important next step”.
Asked on Tuesday about Western arms supplies to Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated the Kremlin’s view that “NATO has long been directly involved in a hybrid war against Russia.”
After talks in Moscow with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, he said the Russian military would “take all necessary measures to undermine the realization of Western plans”.
He said Shukry relayed a message from U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about Ukraine and that Washington has repeatedly called on Russia to withdraw its troops. “Russia is ready to listen to any serious — I want to emphasize this word — proposals aimed at a comprehensive solution to the current situation,” Lavrov said.
Both Ukraine and Russia are believed to be building up their arsenals for an expected offensive in the coming months after the war stalled on the winter battlefield.
Asked about Lithuania’s request for fighter jets and long-range missiles for Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the comments “reflect the aggressive approach taken by the Baltic states and Poland, which are ready to challenge at any cost.” to escalate the situation without regard to the consequences.”
Meanwhile, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has criticized Western countries for supplying Ukraine with tanks and other weapons, arguing that the deliveries will only prolong the war.
Early in the conflict, discussions centered on the possible supply of Kyiv with the Soviet-built MiG-29 fighters familiar to Ukrainian pilots. In March, the Pentagon rejected a Polish offer to transfer its MiG-29s to Kyiv via a US base in Germany, citing the risk of escalating tensions between Russia and NATO.
Ukraine has inherited a large number of Soviet-made warplanes, including the Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters and the Su-25 ground attack aircraft. Switching to Western aircraft would require lengthy training for Ukrainian aircrew and present logistical challenges in maintenance and repair.
Russia methodically targeted Ukrainian air bases and anti-aircraft batteries early in the war, but Ukraine diverted its warplanes and concealed its air defense assets, preventing Moscow from fully controlling the air.
After suffering heavy losses early on, the Russian air force avoided penetrating deep into Ukrainian airspace, focusing primarily on front-line close support missions. (Associated Press)
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
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