Ukraine and Poland Have Resumed Negotiations on Transfer of MiG-29 Fighter Jets

Ukraine and Poland have resumed talks on the possible transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets in exchange for drone technology.

This was announced by Polish Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, according to PAP.

At a press conference on Thursday, he assured that negotiations are currently underway to incorporate lessons learned during the war in Ukraine into Poland’s defense systems.

“There is a clear proposal: MiGs for drones. The Ukrainians said ‘yes,’ then began to think it over, and now they are negotiating again, which is good. I hope this proposal will be successfully finalized,” the official said.

As a reminder, in late June, Warsaw decided not to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Kyiv.

At that time, Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the Ukrainian side had allegedly reneged on an agreement that provided for the transfer of unmanned technologies.

He acknowledged that Ukraine has significant capabilities in unmanned technologies and, in his view, the exchange of expertise and technologies was to become an important component of bilateral military cooperation between the countries.

This involves the transfer of up to nine aircraft, as announced in December 2025. At that time, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, during a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated his readiness to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets in exchange for anti-drone systems.

The President of Ukraine replied that these fighter jets are important because Ukrainian pilots know how to fly them.

Last month, the chairman of the board of the defense holding company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ SA) announced that the possibility of involving Polish companies in the repair and maintenance of Ukrainian F-16 and MiG-29 fighter jets is being considered.

Defence Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov stated in late January that Ukraine and Poland are deepening their cooperation in the defense sector.

He noted that one area of focus is strengthening the Air Force and working together to modernize the MiG-29 fighter jets.