A deal to supply Ukraine with Soviet-era Polish MiG-29 fighter jets was scrapped by the US administration following a Chinese back-channel intervention involving former EU leaders, the Spectator reported on Friday citing a source close to the Chinese leadership.

The report noted that initially, the US was optimistic and positive about the Polish offer for Ukraine. However, Beijing employed its European connections to negotiate the halting of this weapons supply deal. Beijing argued that it will make every effort possible to defuse Moscow's "nuclear threat on an operational level" on the condition that Washington rejected the deal.    

The report noted, "It worked. The [US] decided that supplying aircraft was a step too far," quoting the source. Furthermore, the report noted that Beijing's priority was to "avoid any nuclear escalation" between Moscow and NATO as well as "help in reaching a ceasefire" to the war in Ukraine.    

Biden vetoes delivery of Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine

US President Joe Biden had also months earlier vetoed Warsaw's proposal to send Polish MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, arguing that it was to avoid provoking Russia into direct confrontation with NATO, the Wall Street Journal reported on March 12.

According to WSJ, Biden personally vetoed the proposal, and the decision came directly from him.

Despite not allowing Warsaw to provide Kiev with arms so as not to provoke Moscow, Washington had supplied weapons to Ukraine.

The West, mainly the US, have supplied their eastern European ally with a wide array of arms, including Javelin and NLAW anti-tank weapons, Stingers, and ammunition for regular arms.

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