NATO countries have 'green light' to send fighter jets to Ukraine, Blinken saysNATO members have a "green light" to send fighter jets as part of their military aid to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday.
"That gets a green light," Blinken said in an interview with CBS News' "Face the Nation."
"In fact, we're talking with our Polish friends right now about what we might be able to do to backfill their needs if in fact they choose to provide these fighter jets to the Ukrainians," Blinken added.
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The decision comes amid a push to provide weapons for Ukrainian forces as they continue to fight against the superior firepower of the Russians.
The U.S. has been reportedly considering a deal with Poland to send U.S. warplanes to Warsaw to replace any Soviet-era fighter jets the NATO country sends to Ukraine.
Under the proposal, the Ukrainians would receive Russian-made MiGs that Poland inherited after the Cold War ended, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a photo opportunity with Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu at the State Department, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
During a Saturday Zoom call with more than 280 U.S. lawmakers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needed fighter jets more than the anti-aircraft missiles the U.S. had agreed to, the paper reported.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. referenced that plea on Sunday. Schumer said he supported the U.S. giving other nations – like Poland -- help if they decide to supply Ukraine with Soviet-era jets.
Schumer noted the jets are owned by Poland and other countries in Eastern Europe and that Ukrainian pilots are trained to use them.
"These planes and other capabilities are very much needed," Schumer said, according to the New York Post. "Today, I am urging the administration to explore all feasible options for the transfer of these specific aircraft to Ukraine."
"The US could commit to helping restore a donor country’s fleet in return for the transfer, and I offer up full support for this to happen," he added. "We must help Ukraine from the ongoing Russian bombardment and siege with planes, and other capabilities........
https://www.foxnews.com/world/nato-countries-green-light-send-fighter-jets-ukraine-blinken
