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 where Poland could provide Ukraine with its older MiG-29 fighter jets, with the U.S. potentially offering F-16s to backfill Poland's air force.
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken confirmed support for the potential swap, emphasizing it as Poland's sovereign decision, but reiterated the U.S. stance against direct conflict with Russia, ruling out a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
This initiative responds to Ukraine's desperate need for air assets and comes amidst reports of significant losses for the Russian Air Force in the ongoing conflict.

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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.