Blinken: See, NATO, EU are relevant: Fighter jets to Ukraine via Poland?
Soviet-era combat jets to Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
MARGARET BRENNAN on Face the Nation: If, for instance, the Polish government, a NATO member wants to send fighter jets, does that get a green light from the U.S.? Or you were afraid that that will escalate tension?
SEC. BLINKEN: No, that- that gets a green light. In fact, we’re talking with our Polish friends right now about what we might be able to do to back fill their needs if in fact they choose to provide these fighter jets to to the Ukrainians. What could we do? How can we help to make sure that they get something to backfill the planes that they’re handing over to- to the Ukrainians? We’re in very active discussions with them about that. Look, I’ve been in Europe for the last couple of days working closely as always with our allies and partners at NATO, the European Union, the G7 countries, and all of us together are continuing to take steps to increase the pressure on Russia through additional sanctions, all of which are very actively under discussion and will be implemented in the in the coming days, as well as taking further steps to give the Ukrainians what they need to defend themselves against the Russian aggression.
The statement conflicts with a 5 March Poland MOD statement:
The report the Polis MOD was referring to: “Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday made an impassioned plea to Capitol Hill for assistance in obtaining more lethal military aid, especially Russian-made jet fighters that Ukrainian pilots can fly, WSJ, multiple journals reported.
Earlier NATO, Poland MOD did say: The Polish Army is strengthening! The U.S. Congress has approved the sale of 250 Abrams tanks to Poland. This is the last important step before signing the contract for their purchase. This is the most important defence contract in years.
Sec of State Blinken takes to Twitter: “Russia’s invasion was premeditated and preceded by a disinformation campaign that continues its lies meant to create confusion and division — but the world is #UnitedWithUkraine. The U.S. proudly joins the @FO_Coalition Chair in denouncing disinformation and promoting democracy.
“The U.S. has worked hard to reestablish our leadership at the @UN and other international organizations for moments just like this—when threats to international peace and security demand a global response. This week we have taken meaningful action to isolate and repudiate Russia.
“As I leave Brussels this morning, we are united with @NATO, the EU, and our European Allies and partners in our support for Ukraine’s democratically elected President Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian government, and, most of all, the brave people of Ukraine.
“Good meeting with @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen in Brussels. The United States and the EU are united in our support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and against Russia’s unjustifiable war.
“I met with @NATO Secretary General @JensStoltenberg today to discuss our work to promote Transatlantic security, including in NATO’s Eastern Flank. We also affirmed that we are united in our support for Ukraine, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
.@StateDept and @USTreasury have taken sweeping actions as part of our response, together with our allies and partners, to Putin’s war on Ukraine. These actions make clear that there is nowhere to hide for individuals and entities that support Russia’s aggression.
Biden, with his henchmen Blinken Austin and company won in their war ro reestablish the relevance of Organizations so political they had lost their original purpose. Keeping Europe free of war failed.