Ukraine war: Poland pledges more jets to Ukraine as Zelensky visits

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited Poland, as his hosts promised to send more fighter jets to Ukraine.

President Andrzej Duda said he would send Poland’s remaining fleet of MiG-29 jets “if there is still such a need”.

Mr Zelensky thanked the country for its support against Russia’s invasion.

It came as Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western intelligence services of being involved in terror attacks on Russia.

Speaking at the Kremlin’s security council, Mr Putin did not give any evidence but said: “There is every reason to say that the resources of third countries, Western intelligence services, are engaged in the preparation of such sabotage and acts of terrorism.”

Mr Zelensky arrived in Warsaw on Wednesday morning – marking his first official visit to Poland since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

Poland has been a key ally in supporting Ukraine and is usually at the forefront in pushing for arms supplies to its neighbour.

It was the first country to pledge Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and on Wednesday committed more Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets.

Mr Duda reiterated the country firmly supported Kyiv’s bid to join Nato and said he was trying to get “additional guarantees, security guarantees, which will strengthen Ukraine’s military potential”.

Earlier, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that for Ukraine to join Nato, the country would have to be independent and democratic – two criteria currently unable to be fulfilled as a result of Russia’s invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously used Ukraine’s desire to join Nato as a justification for the invasion.

Mr Zelensky’s visit came as Poland’s agriculture minister resigned as farmers complain about cheap Ukrainian grain.

Poland has been gripped by a wave of protests over the fact that Ukrainian grain is reducing the market price of Polish grain, and farmers argue the EU should provide assistance. (BBC)

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