Intelligence Squared The Sunday Debate: Should the West Send Fighter Jets to Ukraine?
Feb 26, 2023
Rajan Menon, Director of the Grand Strategy Program at Defence Priorities, and Anatol Lieven, Senior Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, dive into the critical issue of fighter jets for Ukraine. They discuss the pressing need for air support amid ongoing conflict and the complexities of securing this aid from Western nations. The conversation also explores the shifting perspectives on the West's involvement, the risks of escalating tensions with Russia, and the delicate balance for U.S. foreign policy as support for Ukraine evolves.
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Jets: The New Demand
- Ukraine wants fighter jets after receiving other heavy weaponry.
- The West worries about Russia escalating the war if Ukraine gets jets.
Ukraine's Need for Jets
- Ukraine needs fighter jets to target Russian command posts and logistical systems far behind the front lines.
- Rajan Menon explains that Russia's logistical system, being heavily rail-dependent, is a major vulnerability.
Striking Russian Territory
- Supplying jets could enable Ukraine to strike into Russia, raising concerns about further escalation.
- Anatol Lieven questions whether such strikes, though within Ukraine's rights, would be strategically wise.