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“Green light” For NATO Fighter Jets In Ukraine, Says Blinken
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, said Sunday NATO members have the go-ahead to send fighter jets to Ukraine as the U.S. and allies continue to assist Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s invasion.
In an interview with “Face the Nation,” Antony Blinken said the Polish government, a member of NATO, could send fighter planes to Ukraine. Blinken Said We’re actually talking right now to our Polish friends about what we can provide for their needs if they decide to provide these fighter jets to the Ukrainians. What can we do? How can we make sure they get something to backfill the planes that they are handing over to the Ukrainians?”
A White House spokesperson told CBS News that the Biden administration is studying the possibility of backfilling jets for Poland if it decides to transfer aircraft to Ukraine, though it noted there are several questions that arise from such a decision, including how jets might be transferred from Poland to Ukraine.
Ukrainian ambassador Oksana Markarova said she hopes the country will receive fighter jets from Poland “as soon as possible.”
“We have a steady supply of ammunition and anti-air, anti-tank, and planes that we will need to defend our country,” she said.
Blinken said NATO and members of the G7 are “working together”
As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and European allies have provided military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s largest banks, oligarchs, and top officials. President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are among those calling for sanctions in an effort to cut off the country from the global financial system. Putin said on Saturday that the sanctions are “like a war.”
Blinken, who was meeting with U.S. allies in eastern Europe, Blinken said NATO and members of the G7 are “working together” to raise pressure on Russia, including through additional sanctions.