3/12/22, 1:23 PM Republican senators pressure Biden to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine - BBC News

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Republican senators pressure Biden to

transfer fighter jets to Ukraine
21 hours ago

Russia-Ukraine war

GETTY IMAGES

Poland offered to send its fourth generation MiG-29s to an American base

Pressure is mounting on US President Joe Biden to bolster Ukraine's

defences after his administration quashed Poland's offer to send fighter jets
with US help.

More than 40 Republican senators have written an open letter in which they
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/60710226 1/7
3/12/22, 1:23 PM Republican senators pressure Biden to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine - BBC News
p p y
say they "strongly disagree" with Biden's stance.

They have now called on him to immediately "facilitate the transfer of aircraft
and air defence systems".

The White House says it's "high risk".

Poland surprised the US administration this week when it offered to deploy

MiG-29 jets to a US military facility in Germany "immediately and free of
charge", ready for transferring them to Ukraine.

The offer was rejected as "not tenable" by US officials, but the Republican
senators disagree.

Their letter reads: "We cannot allow Putin to gain an advantage because of a
failure to provide the Ukrainians with needed weaponry, ammunition,
communications equipment and medical supplies.

"Supporting Ukraine's fight for freedom against the tyrannical, lawless Russian
invasion of Ukraine's sovereign territory is among the most urgent missions
the West has faced in a generation."

Why Biden won't send US troops to Ukraine

What is Nato and how is it responding to the Ukraine crisis?

The letter is led by Iowa senator Joni Ernst and Utah's Mitt Romney - and
includes signatures from most of their Republican Senate colleagues,
including minority leader Mitch McConnell.

"We implore you to direct your Department of Defense to facilitate the

transfer of aircraft, air defence systems, and other capabilities by and through
our Nato partners immediately," it says.

The Pentagon has so far ruled out sending its Patriot missile defence system
to Ukraine, but has instead directed two of the units to Poland.

The US is wary of sending military aid directly into Ukraine as Russia could
interpret that as a more direct involvement in the war that could escalate the
conflict beyond Ukraine.

Nations have preferred to respond to Russia's invasion with sweeping

sanctions.

Related Topics

Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine Joe Biden

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3/12/22, 1:23 PM Republican senators pressure Biden to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine - BBC News

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