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Ranking Member Turner leads letter to send Polish aircraft to Ukraine

Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee (HPSCI) sent a letter with fellow Republican HPSCI members to National Security Advisory Jake Sullivan on the importance of sending Polish aircraft to Ukraine to fortify them against Russia's deadly attacks.

"We fully support Poland’s offer to transfer these much-needed aircraft to Ukraine. Time is of the essence regarding this transfer and Ukraine’s self-defense. Therefore, we seek your personal intervention in resolving any delays related to the delivery of these aircraft." the lawmakers wrote.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Mr. Sullivan:
We are concerned about reported impediments at the National Security Council (NSC) associated with the delivery of Polish Soviet-era aircraft to Ukraine and the NSC’s decision on whether and how to backfill the resulting loss to Poland’s aircraft capabilities.

We fully support Poland’s offer to transfer these much-needed aircraft to Ukraine. Time is of the essence regarding this transfer and Ukraine’s self-defense. Therefore, we seek your personal intervention in resolving any delays related to the delivery of these aircraft. 
While we are pleased with Secretary Blinken’s public support for any member of NATO sending fighter planes to Ukraine. However, his statements are insufficient if the Administration is unwilling or unable to backfill our NATO allies with adequate air defense. 

Poland has specifically sought F-16s to replace the MiG-29 aircraft proposed for transfer to Ukraine—a request we fully support.

By working to transfer aircraft to Ukraine swiftly, the United States and our NATO allies can continue to demonstrate our staunch support for Ukraine’s democracy and sovereignty. We urge you to do everything in your power to facilitate this support and stand ready to assist you in any way necessary to achieve this goal.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.  

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