U.S. Gives 'Green Light' To Talk Of Fighter Swap In Ukraine

Discussions of resupplying Ukraine's air defenses come as Russia's quest for air superiority lags amid reported air force losses.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, March 07, 2022 at 02:51 PM ET

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A Russian Air Force SU-25 attack aircraft lands at Kubinka Air Base in 2020. [File Photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

U.S. officials have given "a green light" to discussions for a plan allowing Poland to supply Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets, potentially receiving U.S. F-16s as a replacement.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed U.S. willingness to backfill Poland's needs if they make the sovereign decision to send jets, but reiterated the U.S. will not engage in direct conflict with Russia or enforce a no-fly zone.
This initiative comes as Ukraine desperately needs air assets, with President Zelensky appealing for aircraft, and amidst reports of significant losses for Russia's air force.

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U.S. officials have given “a green light” to discussions of a plan that would facilitate a fighter aircraft swap among NATO countries in a bid to provide war-ravaged Ukraine with air assets it says it desperately needs to fight back against continued Russian invasion.

Under the plan, Poland is considering supplying Ukraine with a number of its older MiG-29 fighters in a move that could possibly be offset by a swap of U.S. fighters, such as F-16s.