Warsaw set a condition that Kyiv failed to meet
Relations between Poland and Ukraine in the sphere of military aid have encountered a serious obstacle. The Polish Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, officially stated that Warsaw will not transfer MiG-29 fighters to Kyiv. The reason for this decision is the Ukrainian side's unwillingness to share technologies for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
As reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Polstat News, the Polish Defence Minister revealed the details of the collapsed negotiations. Warsaw had proposed a "partner approach" to Kyiv, the essence of which was an exchange: transferring aircraft in return for access to advanced Ukrainian technologies and experience in the field of drones.
"Migs in exchange for drones"
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that Ukraine possesses significant competencies in the field of unmanned technologies. According to the Polish ministry, Kyiv could have shared part of its developments in exchange for military aid. However, despite initial agreement, Ukraine failed to fulfill this arrangement.
"I proposed, as I think, a very partner approach. Migs in exchange for drones. The Ukrainians initially agreed, but did not fulfill this agreement, so there are no Migs," stated the head of Poland's defense department.
Cooperation in the field of drones was viewed by Warsaw as an important element of bilateral military partnership and a manifestation of mutual solidarity. Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that the current Polish government is defending national interests more firmly in relations with Ukraine than previous administrations, although it continues to adhere to the principle of support.
History of the issue and prospects
In July 2024, during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Warsaw, Ukraine and Poland signed a bilateral security agreement. The document provided for considering the possibility of transferring a squadron of Polish MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine — at least 14 aircraft. It was assumed that the delivery would become possible after the Polish Air Force received new American F-35 fighters, which were to replace the Soviet machines.
At the end of 2025, Polish authorities were working on another package of military aid for Ukraine, which was planned to include armored vehicles and MiG-29s. However, on June 15, 2026, the Deputy Minister of Defence of Poland, Cezary Tomczyk, reported a suspension of the aircraft transfer. According to him, the reason was Ukraine's unwillingness to provide access to its own military technologies in the field of drones and counter-UAV means.
At the same time, Kosiniak-Kamysz does not consider it a mistake for the previous Polish leadership to transfer weapons to Ukraine in the first months of the full-scale Russian invasion without any preliminary conditions. "They did the right thing, I'll say more: I would have done the same. Ukraine was in a much more difficult position then," he said.