The statements by the US Secretary of State come after Zelensky requested more help in lethal weapons from US lawmakers on Saturday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed in an interview with CBS News that NATO member countries are free to supply Ukraine with warplanes.
“That has a green light,” Blinken said, responding to whether the Polish government, a member of the Atlantic Alliance, could send fighter jets to Kiev, adding that Washington was already working with Polish officials to ” meet their needs ” if they decide to do so.
In addition, the diplomat assured that in recent days, together with NATO allies and partners, the European Union and the G7, they have taken measures “to increase pressure on Russia through additional sanctions” that will be implemented soon.
Blinken’s remarks come after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky called for more help in deadly weapons during a virtual meeting with US lawmakers on Saturday, while insisting that a ” no-fly zone ” be imposed over Ukraine.
However, Washington and NATO have ruled out a no-fly zone and have repeatedly stated that they would not send troops to Ukraine.
For its part, the Polish Prime Minister’s Foreign Ministry has denied media reports that it is considering sending its MiG-29 and Su-25 fighters to Ukraine in exchange for US F-16s.