Soon to be replaced Ukrainian Defense Minister counts on Western help in military aircraft

Ukraine’s soon-to-be-replaced defense minister on Sunday expressed confidence that Western allies would agree to the country’s latest request for weapons, specifically warplanes to fight Russian forces that invaded almost a year ago.

Oleksiy Reznikov said at a press conference in Kyiv that Ukraine has already received everything from the “wish list for Santa Claus”, except for aircraft.

“There will also be planes,” Reznikov predicted. “The only question is which ones… Consider that this mission has already been completed.”

So far, Ukraine has enlisted the support of the Baltic states and Poland in its bid to obtain Western fighter jets. But some Western leaders have expressed concern that the provision of combat aircraft could provoke the Kremlin and further drag their countries into a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused massive destruction.

Kyiv says the planes are needed to challenge Russia’s air superiority and ensure the success of a Russian offensive that Reznikov predicts could begin around the February 24 anniversary of the war.

“Not all Western weapons will arrive by then, but we have the resources and reserves to help stabilize and sustain the offensive,” Reznikov told reporters.

Since the beginning of the war, Western leaders have refused some of Ukraine’s requests, such as longer-range missiles and tanks, only to agree later.

Ukraine has redeployed its warplanes and stowed away air defenses, hindering Moscow’s attempts to take full control of the skies. Having suffered early losses, the Russian Air Force avoided going deep into Ukrainian airspace and mainly focused on close support on the front line.

Tanks of German production go to Ukraine. Reznikov said his troops will begin training on Leopard tanks in Europe on Monday ahead of their delivery to Ukraine. So far, Canada, Poland, Germany, the UK and the US have said they will supply tanks to Ukraine.

Kyiv has since announced that it will replace Reznikov with military intelligence expert Kirill Budanov, who is a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Senior MP David Arakhamia announced the change on his social media and added that the position should be led by a professional defender or security officer, not a politician.