Ukraine pushes for Western fighter jets after tank deals

By Republic Aeon Web Desk: AP — KYIV, Ukraine There were no indications that larger countries like the U.S. and Britain have changed their positions on refusing to provide the warplanes to Kyiv after almost a year of combating Russia's invading forces. Ukraine won support from the Baltic states and Poland on Tuesday in its pursuit of Western fighter jets.

"Ukraine needs tanks, missiles, and fighter jets. At a press conference with his Baltic and Polish counterparts in the Latvian city of Riga, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu declared, "We need to act. These nations, which are part of NATO's eastern flank and feel particularly threatened by Russia, have been the strongest proponents of giving military help.

Oleksii Reznikov, the defence minister of Ukraine, conducted discussions with his French colleague but claimed they did not specifically discuss fighter jets but rather aviation "platforms" to support Ukraine's ground-to-air defence.

The answer from Western partners to Kyiv's requests for fighter jets is "I don't know how quick it will be," Reznikov added. "I have hope, and I believe it will happen as quickly as possible."

Additionally, he listed the weaponry that Ukraine has been seeking over the past year, starting with stingers, and claimed that the initial answer was always "impossible." But eventually, he said, "it became conceivable."

There are "no taboos" about sending fighter jets, according to Sebastien Lecornu, the French defence minister, who was speaking alongside Reznikov. Additionally, he declared that France will deliver 12 more Caesar cannons in the upcoming days.

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, said on Monday that France does not rule out sending fighter jets to Ukraine. However, he outlined a number of requirements before such a move is made, including that it not result in an uptick in tensions or use the aircraft "to touch Russian soil" or weaken "the capacities of the French army."