Poland suspends transfer of MiG-29 jets to Ukraine amid diplomatic dispute

Poland will not yet transfer its remaining MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine.

Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that an agreement to exchange the aircraft for Ukrainian drone technologies had not been implemented.

According to the Polish defence minister, Warsaw had proposed transferring MiG-29 fighters to Kyiv in exchange for access to drone-production technologies. However, the Ukrainian side, the minister claimed, did not fulfil its part of the arrangement.

“I proposed an honest and partnership-based approach: MiGs in exchange for drones,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Negotiations over a possible transfer of the aircraft had been underway since late 2025. In December, Polish authorities confirmed that they were considering supplying Ukraine with ageing MiG-29s as part of a technology exchange. At that time, however, no final decision had been made.

Historical Dispute Adds to Tensions

The decision on the MiG-29s coincided with worsening political relations between Warsaw and Kyiv over a dispute concerning the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, or UPA.

On June 19, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state honour. The move was reportedly prompted by Kyiv’s decision to grant one of Ukraine’s special forces units an honorary title linked to the UPA. In Poland, the UPA is regarded as responsible for mass killings of Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during the Second World War.

Zelenskyy received the Order of the White Eagle in April 2023 from then Polish President Andrzej Duda. After Nawrocki’s decision, the Ukrainian president said that he had returned the award to Poland.

Personal Contacts May Be Limited

According to Polish media, Nawrocki’s inner circle is discussing the possibility of reducing his personal contacts with Zelenskyy. However, this does not mean that Poland is withdrawing its military or political support for Ukraine.

Polish authorities have previously stressed that the question of transferring MiG-29s is linked not only to support for Kyiv but also to Poland’s own defence interests: the aircraft are gradually being retired, and their duties are expected to be taken over by more modern F-16 and FA-50 fighters.

The historical dispute has already moved beyond bilateral relations. In the Czech Republic, the Freedom and Direct Democracy Party said it would seek to have Zelenskyy stripped of the Order of the White Lion. However, the Czech presidential office said that revoking a state award is not within the party’s authority.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Warsaw continues to support Ukraine in the war against Russia. However, the dispute over historical memory has significantly complicated relations between the two allies and increased political pressure ahead of the anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy on July 11.