Peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on invading Ukraine are doomed, Boris Johnson said, and it is vital that the West continues to supply Kyiv with the weapons it needs to repel Moscow’s offensive.
The UK prime minister’s comments came when the Pentagon said spare parts for planes transported to Ukraine allowed its air force access to more planes, and President Vladimir Zelensky said Western allies were more willing to provide heavier armament of Ukrainian forces.
Speaking on a flight to India on Wednesday night to meet with its leader, Narendra Modi, Johnson said: “I think it is very difficult to see how Ukrainians can negotiate with Putin now, given his apparent lack of good faith. . . . How can you negotiate with a crocodile when you have your feet in your jaws.
Johnson said Zelensky, whom he met in Kyiv last month, was determined to expel Russian forces from their existing positions in the east of the country, but that the Ukrainian leader took a different view of Crimea: “They are not so maximalist about Crimea.”
He also revealed that Britain is currently training Ukrainians in Poland to use air defense systems.
A senior Pentagon official said Wednesday that the transfer of spare parts, facilitated by the United States and allies, has given Ukraine access to an additional 20 fighter jets, providing Kyiv’s air force with much-needed firepower as it tries to repel renewed Russian attack.
“[Ukraine has increased its fleet] by more than 20.. . because of the work that the United States and the international community have done to help them get the parts they need to get them in the air, “the senior U.S. defense official said Wednesday, adding that the country is strong position from three weeks ago.
The transfer of aircraft spare parts to allow Ukraine to repair and upgrade its aircraft is the latest example of growing openness on the part of the United States and its allies to send heavier weapons to Ukraine. This comes when Russia launches a renewed attack in the east and south of the country after failing to conquer Kyiv.
Last week, President Joe Biden announced an additional $ 800 million in lethal aid to Ukraine, including expanding U.S. aid to include heavy artillery. The United States is expected to announce an additional $ 800 million in aid this week.
Zelenski said on Wednesday that Western countries have been more inclined to send heavier lethal weapons in recent days. “It has become warmer in terms of weapons. We have warmer relations, the West has a warmer attitude towards Ukraine. It has become clearer when we can get this military equipment. “
He added: “I am not ready to say how many planes are coming. Of course, I’m not ready to mention the details of what we get. “
Meanwhile, John Kirby, the Pentagon’s spokesman, said he was wrong on Tuesday when he said Ukraine had received “a whole plane” from another country.
“I was aware that a proposal had been made by another nation in the region to provide whole aircraft with a fixed wing to Ukraine. . . it was actually implemented. It’s not, “he said.
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Kirby added: “As we said, the Ukrainians got it. . . enough spare parts and additional equipment to be able to put into service more fixed-wing aircraft in their fleet than they had even two or three weeks ago.
“They managed to increase their fleet by a lot.”
There have been periodic talks about transferring entire MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, US and European officials said, but that poses logistical challenges. Some Western defense officials also fear that providing entire planes could escalate the conflict, although others have become less concerned about the outcome as the war unfolds.
“It is very difficult to give planes,” said a European official. “We always have to find the right balance between that [Ukraine is] request, as well as what will be easy to provide in a very short period of time, as well as to properly assess what may be too escalating for Russia.
The United States has also expanded its involvement in the conflict by training a small group of about 50 Ukrainian forces outside the country on how to use howitzer artillery systems, a senior US official said. The employee refused to specify where the training took place.
“This is training for trainers,” the official said. “They will be trained on how to use howitzers and then be able to return to Ukraine and train their colleagues.
Additional reports by Henry Foy in Brussels
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