London considers sending anti-air missiles to Ukraine
With this consideration, Britain nonetheless stresses that the conflict should remain between Kiev and Moscow.
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A Starstreak high-velocity missile (HVM) system is manned by members of the British Royal Artillery, 2012 (AFP)
On Wednesday, the UK defense minister announced that London was considering sending anti-air missiles to Ukraine, with claims that the system remains within the definition of defense weapons.
"In response to a Ukrainian request, the Government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity manned portable anti-air missiles,” Wallace told Parliament.
Wallace contended that the short-range system would enable the Ukrainian armed forces to "better defend their skies."
Regarding Poland's plans to transfer its fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for US fighters, Grant Shapps, the minister of transport, said his country has nothing to do with it and warned that NATO should be cautious about Britain's involvement in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
"It's nothing to do with the British government, this is between the Polish and the Americans," Shapps told Sky News broadcaster, adding that "the Americans have said that they will not proceed in that manner."
Shapps said that NATO allies need to ensure that they do not "inadvertently do something which escalates this war in a way that would be unacceptable to the entire world."
Yesterday, Tuesday, Wallace said that he'd support Poland's decision to send combat aircraft to Ukraine, as long as it's Warsaw's choice.
Poland not ready to independently send MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Poland is not ready to independently supply Ukraine with MiG-29 fighters, he told reporters in Oslo, Norway, answering a question about supplying fighters with weapons in Ukraine.
"It must be emphasized that Poland is not a party to this war, and NATO is not a party to this war. Therefore, decisions regarding the supply of offensive weapons should be made at the level of the entire NATO. Therefore, in fact, we are ready to transfer part of our fighters to Ramstein [US airbase in Germany], but we are not ready for any independent steps," Morawiecki said.
Today, Tuesday, the Polish Foreign Ministry said that Warsaw is ready to send its MiG-29 fighters to the US and deliver them to Ramstein.
