The Ukrainian Navy has said that three NATO nations – Bulgaria, Poland and Slovakia – will transfer 70 combat aircraft to join their forces against Russia.
The warplanes will be stationed in Polish airfields, the Navy posted on its official Facebook page. “If necessary, they can be stationed on Polish airfields, from which Ukrainian pilots will perform combat missions.”
Bulgaria will transfer 16 MiG-29 fighters and 14 Su-25 attack planes, Poland – 28 MiG-29 planes, and Slovakia – 12 MiG-29 planes.
However, on Monday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov strongly refused to send planes to Ukraine. “We have a small number of aircraft and cannot transfer them to anyone. Their number is absolutely not enough to protect our skies, and the statements that we will provide them at such a time are absurd,” Petkov said.
European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that the EU top diplomats agreed to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons amounting to €450 million. He added that the EU will supply military aircraft to Ukraine.
The development comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an application seeking membership of the EU for his war-torn country.