WASHINGTON — Senators pressed intelligence officials Thursday about why the Biden administration will not to facilitate the transfer of Soviet-era planes to Ukraine as it fends off an invasion from Russia.
On Tuesday, Poland announced it was ready to transfer 28 MiG-29 fighter planes to the U.S. with the understanding that they would be handed over to Ukrainian pilots. Though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy openly pleaded for the planes, White House and Pentagon officials quickly dismissed the offer as possibly being seen by Russia as an escalation of the conflict and argued they are not necessary.
But as the invasion continues, and casualties mount, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have increasingly pushed back on the decision and are urging the administration to help facilitate the transfer of MiG-29's to Ukraine from countries that still use the aircraft.
