Forum Topic

A question, please.

I read this posting on the BBC rolling news which was published at about 7pm today:"US looking at deal with Poland on military jets - BlinkenThe US is actively looking at a deal with Poland to supply Russian-made military jets to Ukraine, American Secretary of State Antony Blinken says.Ukrainian pilots already know how to fly them and Blinken said the US might provide replacement planes to Poland."We are looking actively now at the question of airplanes that Poland may provide to Ukraine, and looking at how we might be able to backfill, should Poland decide to supply those planes," Blinken said."Can't speak to a timeline but I can just tell you we're looking at it very, very actively."It follows a plea for planes from Zelensky.But Russia's defence ministry has warned Ukraine's neighbours not to harbour Ukrainian combat aircraft, saying they could find themselves involved in the conflict."Why are we publishing this information?????

Ivonne Holliday ● 1197d12 Comments

Are you asking me the question, Mark?That information was published on the BBC's rolling news. As far as I am aware, it is very public and not considered top secret.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1194d

Why are you further publishing this information if it's so sensitive?

Mark Phillips ● 1194d

That's now off the table apparently

Matt Palmer ● 1194d

"Ukraine to receive Nato fighter jetsAircraft deal with Poland threatens new escalation in war"https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukraine-to-receive-nato-fighter-jets-8fj5fh999"Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in connection with the statement by the US Secretary of State on providing airplanes to Ukraine"https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/statement-of-the-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-republic-of-poland-in-connection-with-the-statement-by-the-us-secretary-of-state-on-providing-airplanes-to-ukraine

Ed Robinson ● 1195d

I suspect that the US or NATO wants to indicate that they are supporting Ukraine in specific ways, particularly with regard to command of air space while refusing to set up a no-fly zone? Didn't catch who it was, but there was someone being interviewed from the Polish government who didn't seem so keen (think he said "why not Portugal instead of Poland - although obviously Portugal doesn't have Russian Mig fighter jets). I think other specific military aid has been mentioned: UK, anti-tank missles; Lithuania, anti-aircraft missiles; etc. Perhaps NATO and its member countries feel fairly secure now the Russian military seems to be bogged down in Ukraine?

Michael Ixer ● 1196d

Perhaps there is not much difference. We are aware that NATO countries have been supplying Ukraine with arms, but I do not think the specific details of what, where and how were made public.But why are the Russians being informed of these US (and/or others?) preparations? By making this information public, does it not endanger Poland's security in a way?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1196d

It's in the US and international news as well, not just the BBC. it seems to have been made public by the US administration. I suspect as they're planes originally supplied by Russia they'd be able to identify where the Ukrainian airforce sourced them from. NATO countries have been supplying plenty of other arms to Ukraine so is there any difference with providing used Migs?

Michael Ixer ● 1197d

Precisely because Poland is in NATO I would have thought.I'm not sure what Poland feels about it.But yes it is an escalation and in war mistakes happen so not a good move IMO.

Ed Robinson ● 1197d

Perhaps.  But those games are rather dangerous?  Why involve Poland???? It would have been equally dangerous to say Slovenia or Finland!  I agree, Finland is not a NATO member, but the geographical location of these countries are equally sensitive!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1197d

Perhaps that was the point!

Ed Robinson ● 1197d

Whatever it is, should we be publishing this information?Rather dangerous I would have thought!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1197d

It was from an interview - seems to be at odds with Biden's policy not to escalate.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-war-fighter-jets-antony-blinken-face-the-nation/

Ed Robinson ● 1197d