Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, has admitted to reporters that US did not transfer 28 Polish fighter planes to Ukraine in order to avoid direct involvement of the US or presumably other NATO allies in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
“Our assessment would be based upon how we can prevent this world war.,” Psaki said in response to a reporter’s question regarding the planes. She called the issue of setting off World War 3 one “This is an important weight the president, intelligence community and defense department carry at all times.”
“There’s an escalation ladder,” the White House front woman continued, pointing out the difference between anti-tank weapons and aircraft that could potentially “Cross-border” and escalate the war. “We won’t do anything that is not in our national interest or the best interests of NATO members and the United States.,” Psaki concluded.
Many had demanded to know what happened to the planes the US and/or NATO were “Supposed” to hand over to Poland to be turned over to the Ukrainians. It was discovered that any Polish or NATO country convoy carrying war material into Ukraine would immediately become a target for Russia. This could potentially create the conditions to allow NATO to declare war on Article 5 and thus trigger WWIII.
Psaki had previously blamed the US’ failure to deliver 28 Polish fighter jets to Ukraine on a “Temporary interruption in communication,” after Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed Poland had a “green light” to move forward with transferring the planes.
The White House press secretary insisted the US had a “Solid and long-lasting relationship with Poland,” and that the “Mechanism” of the handover was the real issue. Poland had offered to transfer the MiG-29 jets to the US’ Ramstein base in Germany, but the US appeared uncertain how to go forward without directly implicating itself (and thus NATO) in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
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Pentagon responds to Poland’s fighter jets proposal for Ukraine
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said as much on Tuesday, declaring the decision to transfer Polish planes to Ukraine was one for the Polish government to make, but that the Ramstein plan did not appear to be “A tenable one.”
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has expressed growing impatience and demanded jets as well as a no fly zone. “You must not delegate the responsibility,” he said in an address on Wednesday. “We are looking for planes.”
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