U.S. officials have criticized Poland’s offer to move MiG-29 jets across the United States as a risk of escalation without significantly changing the situation in Ukraine, given that the Ukrainian air force is largely intact. Asked about the senator’s letter Thursday night, White House Press Secretary Sean Savett noted the comments from the Pentagon and the Commander of the US Forces in Europe expressing these views.
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The letter from GOP lawmakers is stepping up pressure on the Biden administration to move on and highlights the party’s support for major action against the Kremlin. The White House announced a bipartisan import ban on Russian oil and natural gas this week, and Congress passed a multi-billion dollar aid package for Ukraine that will provide military and humanitarian support and aid to NATO allies.
“Supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom against a tyrannical, lawless Russian invasion of Ukraine’s sovereign territory is one of the most pressing challenges the West has faced in a generation,” the Senators’ letter begins, which includes the signature of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.-Key). ).
“We implore you to direct your Department of Defense to immediately facilitate the transfer of aircraft, air defense systems and other assets by and through NATO partners,” the senators wrote.
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Speaking at a press conference earlier, Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) dismissed fears of Russian provocations and said the US should comply with Ukraine’s specific request. “It’s time for [Putin] afraid of what we might do,” Romney said, referring to the US and NATO.
Many countries responded to the Russian invasion with sanctions, but they were unwilling to join Ukraine’s fight against the superpower. The United States fears military assistance that Russia could interpret as more direct involvement in the war.
The Pentagon on Thursday ruled out sending its Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, with a senior U.S. Department of Defense official saying the system was unfamiliar to Ukrainians and would require U.S. troops on the ground.
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Poland stunned American leaders this week by announcing it would donate jet-powered MiG-29s to the United States for use in the war. Poland said in a statement that it was ready to send planes to a US military facility in Germany “immediately and free of charge.”
The United States quickly dismissed the idea: “We do not consider Poland’s proposal reasonable,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. He said such planes “flying out of a US/NATO base in Germany to fly into airspace disputed with Russia over Ukraine are of great concern to the entire NATO alliance.”
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“We believe that the most effective way to support the Ukrainian military in their fight against Russia is to increase the number of anti-tank weapons and air defense systems, which continues with the international community,” Walters said in a statement.
Vice President Harris met with Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday and tried to play down the disagreement over the MiG-29 jets, saying US relations with Poland and NATO remain strong.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) said last week he would work to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “desperate request” for planes from Eastern Europe. Senator Robert Menendez (DN.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote a letter on Monday calling for rapid coordination with Poland to “provide Ukraine with Soviet-era aircraft.” He said the United States and NATO allies should commit to replacing donated aircraft.
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These comments were made prior to Poland’s proposal that its Russian-made MiG-29 aircraft be placed “at the disposal of the Government of the United States of America” and sent to Ramstein Air Base, a US facility in Germany.
Letter Thursday from GOP lawmakers exacerbates the contrast between their position on Ukraine and comments last month by former President Donald Trump, who called Putin’s actions in Ukraine’s breakaway regions “brilliant” while echoing the Russian president’s claims of sending “peacekeeping forces.”
Speaking most recently to top GOP donors, Trump spoke in a different tone, dismissing suggestions that he is a “Putin apologist” and ridiculing Biden for ruling out military engagement with Russia.
John Hudson and Dan Lamothe contributed to this report.