The United States has rejected a surprise offer from NATO ally Poland to move its Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets to a US base in Germany in a bid to defend Ukraine against an attack on Russian forces.
Poland made the surprise offer on Tuesday amid repeated calls from Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for more fighter jets to replenish its air force as it defends against attacking Russian forces.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said about the possibility of jets flying from the US NATO base “into airspace that is contested with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for the entire NATO alliance”.
Russia has warned that support for Ukraine air force would be seen in Moscow as an opportunity for those involved in the conflict and suppliers to retaliate.
NATO has said it does not want a direct confrontation with Moscow, an allied nuclear power, and US President Joe Biden has refused to send US troops to fight in Ukraine.
After Poland announced its offer, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland told US lawmakers that Washington had caught off guard.
