Poland has officially refused to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets, citing Kyiv’s withdrawal from an agreement to share drone manufacturing technologies. This was stated by Polish Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during a broadcast on Polsat News.
According to the Minister, Poland proposed a “partnership approach” based on the formula: fighter jets in exchange for drone technology. He claims that Ukrainian officials initially agreed to these terms but subsequently abandoned the deal. “I proposed what I believe was a very fair partnership. MiGs in exchange for drones. The Ukrainians initially agreed, but they did not fulfill the agreement; therefore, there will be no MiGs for Ukraine, as Poland does not have the drones or the immediate capacity to utilize them,” the official asserted.
Kosiniak-Kamysz acknowledged that Ukraine has achieved significant breakthroughs in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. He emphasized that the exchange of know-how was intended to serve as a crucial component of military solidarity and bilateral cooperation. From Poland’s perspective, providing such advanced technology would have been a justified reciprocal step for receiving the aircraft.
However, the Minister maintained that he does not view the previous Polish administration’s decision to provide extensive military aid at the start of the full-scale Russian invasion without conditions as a mistake. This cooling of diplomatic sentiment highlights the shifting nature of international aid, where strategic partnerships are increasingly becoming transactional rather than purely ideological.
This development adds to a growing list of friction points between Warsaw and Kyiv. While both nations share a common existential threat from Russia, the divergence in their current national interests regarding military production and technology transfer is creating clear diplomatic tension. Analysts suggest that without effective mediation or a recalibration of cooperation, such disputes could complicate the long-term logistical and security support necessary for Ukraine’s defense.
As of now, the Ukrainian side has not issued a detailed response regarding the specific claims about the drone technology agreement. The situation remains a litmus test for the resilience of the strategic alliance between the two countries, which continues to face pressure from both internal political dynamics and the grueling reality of the ongoing war.