Well, we don't know the whole story, but the fact that it was Ukrainian jet, not a gift, could matter a lot. Those things aren't strict rules, it is all based o

Well, we don't know the whole story, but the fact that it was Ukrainian jet, not a gift, could matter a lot. Those things aren't strict rules, it is all based on perception by both sides. Sending 70 fighters, as EU planned, or allowing them to operate freely from Polish airports would anger Russia much more. Which apparently isn't something NATO is willing to do right now. EDIT: the fact that the jet was Ukrainian gives Romania plausible deniability - they can always say that the pilot wanted to fight, and took the jet against their will :)