Polish president vows to resolve confusion over MiG-29 transfer to Ukraine

Polish President Karol Nawrocki confirmed that he was not informed about plans to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine but promised to resolve the resulting “misunderstanding” with the defence minister.

He made the remarks in Riga during a joint press conference with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, noting that his staff rightly pointed out that he had not received official information about the MiG-29 delivery, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The President added that the misunderstanding may have arisen during communication, and an upcoming discussion with Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will clarify the situation.

“I am calm: with Mr Kosiniak-Kamysz, we will clarify this and reach an understanding on the matter,” Nawrocki stated.

Following Nawrocki’s statements, further comments from the President’s office and the Defence Minister shed additional light on the situation.

Head of International Policy Bureau, Marcin Przydacz, stated that President Karol Nawrocki was not informed about plans to transfer the remaining MiG-29 fighter jets in the Polish Air Force to Ukraine.

According to Przydacz, all previous transfers of military equipment to Ukraine were carried out not only with the President’s knowledge but also with his consent.

Subsequently, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz denied Pszidach’s statements, saying “this is not true” and that all matters, including the transfer of MiG-29s to Ukraine, are discussed at security committee meetings. According to him, the transfer process is still in development and has not yet been completed.

The ongoing confusion over the MiG-29 transfer is connected to the Polish Armed Forces General Staff’s statement on December 9.

According to the statement, Poland has been negotiating the potential supply of additional MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, seeking access to certain Ukrainian drone and missile technologies in return.

These aircraft are approaching the end of their operational lifespan and offer limited prospects for modernisation, with their roles increasingly being taken over by US-built F-16s and South Korean FA-50s. Developed in the Soviet Union during the 1970s, the MiG-29 entered service in 1983, underscoring its long-standing role in Poland’s military inventory.

By Jeyhun Aghazada