美国国家公共电台 NPR--Ex-U.S. ambassador says Poland's gesture toward Ukraine might encourage other allies

Ex-U.S. ambassador says Poland's gesture toward Ukraine might encourage other allies

Transcript¹

Poland's President Andrzej Duda announced Thursday that his country plans to provide four MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia.

Poland is the first NATO country to provide fighter planes to Ukraine, though Ukraine has requested fighter jets from several countries, including the United States.

William Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, says Poland's fighter jets are not "state of the art, but they are very modern, very capable and many NATO allies fly them right now."

"They'll be a real addition for the Ukrainians," Taylor told NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer Friday morning in a conversation on Morning Edition.

"It turns out that Slovakians have just promised 13 [MiG-29 jets]."

How will Ukraine use the fighter jets?

While Ukraine has military forces on the ground to fight, Taylor says the country needs a viable² air force to support Ukraine's ground offensive to push Russia out this spring and summer. He also says the jets will help Ukraine "defend their airspace."

"As we know, the Russians have not been able to succeed on the ground, but the Russians can fire missiles and other bombs, cruise missiles, at civilian³ targets," Taylor said. "So, these MiG-29's will be able to counter the Russian aircraft."

The Biden administration repeatedly denied Ukraine's request for its F-16 fighter jets because they were concerned the jets would be too complicated for Ukraine to maintain during an ongoing⁴ war.

MiG-29 fighter jets are a better immediate⁵ option for Ukraine because Ukrainian pilots know how to operate MiG-29 jets, according to Taylor. Since Poland is also in Europe, the jets can be deployed⁶ immediately to Ukraine.

"It's part of a larger fleet of 28," Taylor said.

Why does this matter?

Taylor said Poland's initiative could pressure the U.S. to provide more advanced weapons to Ukraine.

"We've seen this over and over," Taylor said. "When one nation will move forward on providing some weapons, others will follow. Often it's the Americans who will go after another nation has taken this step. So, I think the answer is yes. Others, including the United States, could soon make a decision to provide this kind of aircraft."

John Kibry, the National Security Council spokesman, said the Biden administration would not provide aircraft to Ukraine, but Taylor told NPR it's unlikely they'll maintain that position.

"There are two Ukrainian pilots reportedly in the United States already for some kind of training. Maybe it's simulation, maybe it's an assessment⁷, but the signs are very good that the United States will some time do this."

Will Russia and China discuss peace plans next week?

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will fly to Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although China has released a position paper on the war in Ukraine, Taylor says he would be "surprised if the meeting resulted in anything useful."

"President Xi has put out a peace plan with many points, some of which are of interest to the Ukrainians," Taylor said.

"The bulk of the plan is clearly Russian oriented, and in order to be a useful peace plan or in order for China to be an effective mediator⁸, they have to be neutral."

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 viable   

adj.可行的，切实可行的，能活下去的

参考例句：

• The scheme is economically viable.这个计划从经济效益来看是可行的。
• The economy of the country is not viable.这个国家经济是难以维持的。

3 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

4 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

5 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

6 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

7 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

8 mediator   

n.调解人，中介人

参考例句：

• He always takes the role of a mediator in any dispute.他总是在争论中充当调停人的角色。
• He will appear in the role of mediator.他将出演调停者。