Ukraine consistently raises MiG-29 supply issue with Poland, says foreign minister

This was stated by Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha during a press briefing in Warsaw, Ukrinform reports.

According to him, Ukraine’s priority is to secure air defense systems from allies to protect civilian cities from Russian aerial attacks. Additionally, Ukraine needs Polish Piorun MANPADS and Krab self-propelled howitzers on the battlefield. He recalled that Poland was the country that once initiated the tank coalition to support the Ukrainian army.

Sybiha emphasized the importance of transferring Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine. He explained that training a single F-16 pilot takes at least a year, whereas MiG-29 pilots are already prepared, making these aircraft a "factor that could change the situation on the battlefield."

"That’s why we consistently bring up this issue with our Polish friends during negotiations. We are very hopeful for a positive resolution," Sybiha stressed.

• On May 8, 2023, Poland delivered 10 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.
• On July 19, 2024, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych stated that Warsaw might transfer all of its remaining MiG-29 fighters to Kyiv.
• Later that month, former Polish Defense Minister Janusz Onyszkiewicz suggested that Polish MiG-29s could arrive in Ukraine in approximately six months, depending on their replacement with new American F-35s.
• At the end of October, a spokesperson for Poland’s Foreign Ministry stated that the government must prioritize the security of its citizens and territory, meaning Ukraine would receive the remaining MiGs only once Warsaw secures replacements from its allies.
• In November 2024, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said he opposed transferring MiG-29s to Ukraine, as they were actively patrolling Poland’s airspace.