Poland has refused to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine after a dispute over military drone cooperation. Warsaw says Kyiv failed to deliver promised drone technology under a bilateral understanding. The decision could affect defense cooperation between the neighboring allies as Ukraine continues its war with Russia.
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the two countries had agreed to exchange battlefield drone expertise for retired MiG-29 aircraft. He described the arrangement as a symbolic but important gesture aimed at strengthening military cooperation. According to the minister, Ukraine initially accepted the proposal but later withdrew from the agreement. He said Poland would not provide the fighter jets because it had not received the promised drone capabilities.
The comments follow earlier discussions about transferring six to eight Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jets that Poland planned to retire from service. Poland’s General Staff said in December 2025 that negotiations with Ukraine over the aircraft were underway. However, the latest remarks suggest the planned transfer has now been suspended due to the unresolved dispute.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also addressed tensions surrounding a Ukrainian military unit named after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. He said Ukraine would not join the European Union while honoring figures associated with Stepan Bandera. The minister argued that individuals viewed as undermining European cooperation should not be elevated as national heroes.
Relations between Poland and Ukraine have faced renewed strain since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky granted an honorary title to a military unit linked to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army in May. The move drew criticism in Poland because of the organization’s association with the 1943–1944 Volhynian massacres, a deeply sensitive historical issue between the two countries.