Slovakia’s authorities has accredited a plan to present Ukraine its fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia’s authorities on Friday accredited a plan to present Ukraine its fleet of 13 Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, changing into the second NATO member nation to heed the Ukrainian authorities’s pleas for warplanes to assist defend in opposition to Russia’s invasion.
Asserting the choice, Prime Minister Eduard Heger informed a information convention that his authorities is “on the suitable aspect of historical past.” Earlier, Heger tweeted that navy support was key to making sure Ukraine can defend itself and all of Europe in opposition to Russia.
Protection Minister Jaroslav Nad stated Slovakia will obtain 200 million euros ($213 million) from the European Union as compensation and unspecified arms from the USA price 700 million euros ($745 million).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly requested Western international locations for fighter jets. He appealed on to Heger for plane at a European Union summit in Brussels final month.
Slovakia grounded its MiGs in the summertime as a consequence of an absence of spare components and experience to assist keep them after Russian technicians returned dwelling. Ukraine’s air drive continues to make use of MiG 29s.
In mild of the absence of its personal plane, Slovakia’s fellow NATO members Poland and the Czech Republic have stepped as much as monitor Slovak air area, with Hungary set to hitch later this yr.
Bratislava has signed a deal to purchase 14 U.S. F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets, however supply has been pushed again two years to early 2024.
On Thursday, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda stated his nation would give Ukraine round a dozen MiG-29 fighter jets, beginning with 4 of the Soviet-era warplanes delivered within the coming days.
Each Poland and Slovakia had indicated earlier they had been prepared at hand over their planes, however solely as a part of a wider worldwide coalition doing the identical.
The controversy over whether or not to supply non-NATO member Ukraine with navy fighter jets began final yr, however NATO allies held off, citing concern about escalating the alliance’s function within the battle.
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Comply with AP’s protection of the battle in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine-war