**The full letter is available HERE**

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) joined Representatives Jim Himes (CT-04), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Mike Turner (OH-10) and 43 other members in sending a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden calling on the administration to continue working with NATO allies to provide aircraft to the Ukrainian military.

“Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine as Vladimir Putin continues his violent, unprovoked, and illegal invasion of their country which has already cost the lives of untold numbers of innocent civilians,” said Rep. Kuster. “I joined a bipartisan, bicameral call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, where he provided on-the-ground updates. I am in awe of the valor and courage of the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their country and their democracy against Russia’s unwarranted aggression. Today, I joined my Republican and Democratic colleagues in urging President Biden to continue working with our NATO allies to provide the Ukrainian Air Force with additional aircraft without delay so they can continue to defend themselves.”

Some NATO countries, including Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria, are in possession of Soviet-era aircraft that are usable by the Ukrainian military. To encourage these countries to donate aircraft to Ukraine, the U.S. should provide assurances that it will provide donor countries planes to ensure their own defenses are not degraded. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already stated that the U.S. supports NATO allies transferring fighter planes to Ukraine, but without a commitment to backfill these countries’ aircraft supplies, they will be less willing to assist.

The full letter is printed below and available here.

Dear President Biden,

We write today urging you to continue to work with our NATO Allies to provide the Ukrainian Air Force with the additional aircraft needed to defend and secure its skies. In light of reports that you are exploring the option of working with Poland to transfer Soviet-era aircraft to Ukraine, we want to express our support for this effort and encourage you to implement this policy without further delay, including by backfilling Poland’s aircraft supply to ensure their security.

On Saturday, March 5th, President Zelenskyy spoke to Members of Congress, describing the grim and distressing situation facing the people of Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. We commend you for the support you have provided to Ukraine and the sanctions and measures implemented swiftly, in coordination with our allies and partners, in response to Russia’s aggression thus far.

There is more work to do. The Ukrainian Air Force was hit hard in the early days of the war and lost significant numbers of aircraft. Despite this, Ukrainian pilots have continued to courageously provide air support for ground troops and defend Ukrainian territory. However, the Ukrainian Air Force requires additional aircraft to secure its skies and protect Ukrainian civilians, who continue to be disproportionately targeted by Russian forces. We have watched the Kremlin purposefully strike hospitals, schools, and residential areas. This is unacceptable.

We understand that imposing a no-fly zone in Ukraine at this time raises concern about a possible direct NATO confrontation with Russian forces, which President Putin could use as an excuse to further escalate the conflict. That is why it is even more essential that we work with our NATO Allies – including Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria – who are in possession of the Soviet-era jets familiar to the Ukrainian Air Force and that are essential assets for Ukrainians working to defend their sovereign territory. On Sunday, March 6th, Secretary Blinken stated that the U.S. fully backed any member of NATO sending fighter planes to Ukraine. Understandably, reports indicate Poland has voiced concern about transferring these critical assets without backfill, which could degrade their own defensive capabilities and readiness as well as NATO’s overall. In order to ensure NATO retains the necessary capabilities, we urge you to provide our NATO Allies who transfer Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine other airframes, such as the F-16, to bolster their own defenses.

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 stand ready to assist you in any way necessary to ensure our NATO Allies are able to facilitate a transfer of aircraft to Ukraine rapidly and efficiently.

We appreciate your continued efforts and attention to providing Ukraine with the resources it needs to protect its sovereignty and freedom.

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