Speaking at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Tusk said the proposal was discussed as part of talks on how to help Ukraine better protect its airspace from Russian strikes.
“When it comes to MiG-29s, Poland is ready at this moment to hand them over,” Tusk said, adding that the talks focused on a reciprocal exchange involving Ukrainian drones. Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine was ready for such a swap and said Kyiv would also seek missiles as part of the arrangement.
“Our Polish colleagues have taken note of this,” Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine would be prepared to exchange its modern drones for both aircraft and, if possible, missiles.
Tusk said he would consult Poland’s military leadership and defence minister after returning home on how to provide the fastest and most effective support against Russian air attacks.
He declined to say whether Poland could offer alternative equipment instead of MiG-29s, but said he would inform Zelensky of what was possible no later than Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The Polish prime minister also announced the signing of a letter of intent on expanded Polish-Ukrainian defence cooperation, including joint production of ammunition and military equipment and the development of defence technology.
He said the agreement followed months of talks aimed at overcoming financial and technological barriers.
While travelling to Kyiv, Tusk said Russia launched an attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, striking critical infrastructure—an episode he called a “dramatic symbol” of the region’s security situation.
“By supporting Ukraine in its heroic resistance against senseless Russian aggression, we support everything that is good, just and true in the world,” Tusk said.
He thanked Poles and Polish companies for mobilising aid for Ukraine, including a nationwide effort to supply power generators amid Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.
He said Poland remained ready to help Ukraine address its energy needs.
Tusk said Europe could not be secure without an independent Ukraine, adding that Ukraine, in turn, needed the support of Poland and its European partners to defend its sovereignty.
He also thanked Zelensky for his personal engagement in improving Polish-Ukrainian relations, saying it had led to significant positive changes between the two neighbours.
Tusk was accompanied to Kyiv by Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański, who is leading preparations for a global conference on the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine. The conference will be held in the Polish coastal city of Gdańsk in June.
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Source: IAR, PAP