Poland announced a plan to send all of its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine via a U.S. air base in Germany. (Photo: Pavel Vanka/Flickr/cc)
Mar 08, 2022
Update:
The Biden administration on Tuesday rejected the Polish government's plan to send fighter jets to Ukraine via a U.S. air base in Germany, with a Pentagon spokesperson saying the proposal is not "tenable."
Earlier:
As Ukrainians on Tuesday battled a Russian invasion that has led to a refugee crisis and a mounting civilian death toll, Poland announced a plan to send all of its MiG-29 jets to a U.S. air base in Germany, so the United States can transfer them to Ukraine.
Polish authorities "are ready to deploy--immediately and free of charge--all their MIG-29 jets to the Ramstein Air Base and place them at the disposal of the government of the United States of America," according to Poland's statement.
"At the same time, Poland requests the United States to provide us with used aircraft with corresponding operational capabilities," the statement continues. "Poland is ready to immediately establish the conditions of purchase of the planes."
The announcement followed skepticism about how Poland or other NATO countries may send Soviet-era aircraft to Ukraine without being seen as active participants in the military campaign against Russia. The Polish government urged other alliance members with MiG-29 jets "to act in the same vein."
When asked during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon if Poland consulted with the United States on the plan, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland responded: "Not to my knowledge and I was in a meeting where I ought to have heard about that just before I came. So I think that actually was a surprise move by the Poles."
\u201c.@SecBlinken: The U.S. has given the \u201cgreen light\u201d to NATO countries if they choose to provide fighter jets to Ukraine, one day after President Zelensky made a plea to members of Congress to provide them during a Saturday Zoom call. https://t.co/liDkdNCAFI\u201d— Face The Nation (@Face The Nation) 1646582062
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recent days has requested the United States and other NATO nations help him secure Soviet-era jets to improve his defense capabilities. He has also repeatedly asked for the NATO allies to enforce a no-fly zone over his country.
The Biden administration and NATO have declined to declare a no-fly zone over Ukraine, warning that implementation would invariably escalate the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia into an all-out war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made thinly veiled threats about using nuclear weapons if other countries intervene in Ukraine and said over the weekend that Western economic sanctions "are akin to declaring war."
Since Putin announced the invasion on February 24, Russian forces have been accused of a growing list of war crimes. As of Tuesday, more than two million Ukrainians have fled the country and at least hundreds of civilians have been killed.
In an exclusive interview with ABC News that aired Monday night, Zelenskyy said that "we have the possible resolution" for Moscow's main demands--including Ukraine's exclusion from NATO--but that Putin needs to "start the dialogue" to end the war.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Update:
The Biden administration on Tuesday rejected the Polish government's plan to send fighter jets to Ukraine via a U.S. air base in Germany, with a Pentagon spokesperson saying the proposal is not "tenable."
Earlier:
As Ukrainians on Tuesday battled a Russian invasion that has led to a refugee crisis and a mounting civilian death toll, Poland announced a plan to send all of its MiG-29 jets to a U.S. air base in Germany, so the United States can transfer them to Ukraine.
Polish authorities "are ready to deploy--immediately and free of charge--all their MIG-29 jets to the Ramstein Air Base and place them at the disposal of the government of the United States of America," according to Poland's statement.
"At the same time, Poland requests the United States to provide us with used aircraft with corresponding operational capabilities," the statement continues. "Poland is ready to immediately establish the conditions of purchase of the planes."
The announcement followed skepticism about how Poland or other NATO countries may send Soviet-era aircraft to Ukraine without being seen as active participants in the military campaign against Russia. The Polish government urged other alliance members with MiG-29 jets "to act in the same vein."
When asked during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon if Poland consulted with the United States on the plan, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland responded: "Not to my knowledge and I was in a meeting where I ought to have heard about that just before I came. So I think that actually was a surprise move by the Poles."
\u201c.@SecBlinken: The U.S. has given the \u201cgreen light\u201d to NATO countries if they choose to provide fighter jets to Ukraine, one day after President Zelensky made a plea to members of Congress to provide them during a Saturday Zoom call. https://t.co/liDkdNCAFI\u201d— Face The Nation (@Face The Nation) 1646582062
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recent days has requested the United States and other NATO nations help him secure Soviet-era jets to improve his defense capabilities. He has also repeatedly asked for the NATO allies to enforce a no-fly zone over his country.
The Biden administration and NATO have declined to declare a no-fly zone over Ukraine, warning that implementation would invariably escalate the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia into an all-out war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made thinly veiled threats about using nuclear weapons if other countries intervene in Ukraine and said over the weekend that Western economic sanctions "are akin to declaring war."
Since Putin announced the invasion on February 24, Russian forces have been accused of a growing list of war crimes. As of Tuesday, more than two million Ukrainians have fled the country and at least hundreds of civilians have been killed.
In an exclusive interview with ABC News that aired Monday night, Zelenskyy said that "we have the possible resolution" for Moscow's main demands--including Ukraine's exclusion from NATO--but that Putin needs to "start the dialogue" to end the war.
From Your Site Articles
Update:
The Biden administration on Tuesday rejected the Polish government's plan to send fighter jets to Ukraine via a U.S. air base in Germany, with a Pentagon spokesperson saying the proposal is not "tenable."
Earlier:
As Ukrainians on Tuesday battled a Russian invasion that has led to a refugee crisis and a mounting civilian death toll, Poland announced a plan to send all of its MiG-29 jets to a U.S. air base in Germany, so the United States can transfer them to Ukraine.
Polish authorities "are ready to deploy--immediately and free of charge--all their MIG-29 jets to the Ramstein Air Base and place them at the disposal of the government of the United States of America," according to Poland's statement.
"At the same time, Poland requests the United States to provide us with used aircraft with corresponding operational capabilities," the statement continues. "Poland is ready to immediately establish the conditions of purchase of the planes."
The announcement followed skepticism about how Poland or other NATO countries may send Soviet-era aircraft to Ukraine without being seen as active participants in the military campaign against Russia. The Polish government urged other alliance members with MiG-29 jets "to act in the same vein."
When asked during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon if Poland consulted with the United States on the plan, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland responded: "Not to my knowledge and I was in a meeting where I ought to have heard about that just before I came. So I think that actually was a surprise move by the Poles."
\u201c.@SecBlinken: The U.S. has given the \u201cgreen light\u201d to NATO countries if they choose to provide fighter jets to Ukraine, one day after President Zelensky made a plea to members of Congress to provide them during a Saturday Zoom call. https://t.co/liDkdNCAFI\u201d— Face The Nation (@Face The Nation) 1646582062
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recent days has requested the United States and other NATO nations help him secure Soviet-era jets to improve his defense capabilities. He has also repeatedly asked for the NATO allies to enforce a no-fly zone over his country.
The Biden administration and NATO have declined to declare a no-fly zone over Ukraine, warning that implementation would invariably escalate the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia into an all-out war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made thinly veiled threats about using nuclear weapons if other countries intervene in Ukraine and said over the weekend that Western economic sanctions "are akin to declaring war."
Since Putin announced the invasion on February 24, Russian forces have been accused of a growing list of war crimes. As of Tuesday, more than two million Ukrainians have fled the country and at least hundreds of civilians have been killed.
In an exclusive interview with ABC News that aired Monday night, Zelenskyy said that "we have the possible resolution" for Moscow's main demands--including Ukraine's exclusion from NATO--but that Putin needs to "start the dialogue" to end the war.
From Your Site Articles
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.