Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a visit to Warsaw on Wednesday that Poland would help build a coalition of Western powers to supply Kiev with warplanes, adding that Ukrainian troops were still fighting for Bakhmut in the east, but If they were at risk of being cut off they could retreat.
Neighboring Poland is a close ally of Ukraine and has helped mobilize support in the West to supply Kiev with main battle tanks. During Zelensky’s visit, Poland announced that it would send 10 more MiG fighter jets in addition to the four previously provided.
“Just as your (Polish) leadership proved itself in the tank alliance, I am sure it will manifest itself in the aircraft alliance,” Zelensky said in a speech at a Warsaw square.
Earlier in the day, Zelensky said that Ukrainian troops faced a “really difficult situation” in Bakhmut and that the military would decide “accordingly” to rescue them if they risked being encircled by Russian invasion forces.
Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut occasionally advanced slightly only to retreat, Zelensky said, but remained inside the town.
“We are in Bakhmut and the enemy does not control it,” Zelensky said.