Poland accuses Ukraine of stalling MiG-for-drones deal

Poland has accused Ukraine of failing to honor an agreement to share advanced drone technology in exchange for additional MiG-29 fighter jets, a dispute that has emerged amid a significant deterioration in relations between the two wartime allies. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that talks on a "MiGs in exchange for drones" deal had been ongoing for months but have now stalled because Ukraine did not follow through on its commitments.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said he had proposed a partnership-based approach where Poland would transfer its remaining Soviet-era MiG-29s to Ukraine in return for access to Ukrainian drone expertise and technology. He claimed Ukrainian officials initially accepted the arrangement but later withdrew. "If Ukraine is already able to sell drones to Kuwait and generate revenue from it while at war, then it is capable of reciprocating to those who provide their equipment," the minister said in a radio interview. He warned that without the drone capabilities, Poland would handle the jets on its own.

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest military supporters since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, serving as a key logistics hub and...