Poland rules out MiG-29 transfer to Ukraine over drone dispute

Poland will not transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine after Kyiv declined to share drone production technologies as part of a proposed exchange, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Speaking to Polstat News, Kosiniak-Kamysz said Warsaw had offered what he described as a “partnership approach,” under which Poland would supply the Soviet-era fighter aircraft in return for access to Ukraine’s expertise and technological capabilities in unmanned systems.

“I proposed what I believe was also a very partnership-based approach: MiGs in exchange for drones. The Ukrainians initially agreed to this, but did not implement it, therefore there will be no MiGs for Ukraine, as there are no drones or capabilities in the field of unmanned systems for Poland,” he said.

The minister emphasized that Ukraine has developed substantial know-how in drone technologies, suggesting that sharing such expertise could have formed the basis of deeper military cooperation between the two countries.

He added that collaboration in the unmanned systems sector could have become a key pillar of bilateral defence ties and a demonstration of mutual solidarity.

At the same time, Kosiniak-Kamysz said the current Polish government is taking a firmer stance in defending national interests in its dealings with Ukraine compared with previous administrations, while maintaining its broader commitment to solidarity.

However, he defended earlier decisions by Poland’s previous leadership to provide military assistance to Ukraine without preconditions in the initial phase of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“They did the right thing, I will say more: I would have done the same. Ukraine was in a much more difficult situation then,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova