British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said that Ukraine will receive modern fighters, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, but only after the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine, reports Kyiv Independent with reference to Der Spiegel.

Eurofighter Typhoon on a NATO missionPhoto: Christophe Gato / DPA / Profimedia

Wallace said that at this stage of the war, there would be no “rapid delivery” of fighter jets.

“Let’s be honest, it will be a long time before someone puts fighter jets in Ukraine. Moreover, modern aircraft such as the Eurofighter, which we in the UK call the Typhoon, will only be delivered to Kyiv after the end of the conflict. This is the consensus among the Western partners,” Wallace said.

However, Wallace said that Ukraine’s allies are ready “someday to take this step.”

Previously, Wallace did not rule out sending planes.

“I am very open to considering any system, not just aircraft, to provide such assistance to Ukraine.”

Even the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Rishi Sunak, said that nothing is planned to send planes to Ukraine to fight against Russia.

“Nothing has been ruled out,” Sunak said after his spokesman said earlier that Britain was “actively” considering sending British aircraft to Ukraine, and Britain’s defense secretary was considering what aircraft could be offered to Ukraine.

On February 16, the European Parliament called on EU member states to consider the issue of supplying Ukraine with fighter jets, helicopters, missile systems and additional ammunition.

Critics say that allies’ reluctance to supply Ukraine with F-16 and Typhoon fighter jets, as well as long-range ATACMS missiles, will prevent Kiev from launching a counteroffensive and liberating the rest of Ukrainian territory. The lack of modern aircraft and missiles will likely continue Russia’s war of aggression and lead to thousands of deaths.

During the Munich Security Conference on February 17, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Poland is not open to supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.

However, he said he was willing to work with other NATO countries to provide alternative fighter jets.

In an interview with Ukrinform on February 17, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that supplying Ukraine with the MiG-29 is an alternative, as it requires less preparation.