There will be no immediate transfer of UK fighter jets to Ukraine, Ben Wallace was cited as saying as president Volodymyr Zelensky continues his tour of Europe in a push for air cover.
Mr Zelensky started his surprise trip in London on Wednesday with a rousing speech to parliament urging the UK and allies to provide “wings for freedom”.
Despite Rishi Sunak saying nothing was “off the table”, the defence secretary told the BBC that gifting any fighter jets would potentially take months.
Mr Wallace explained the UK would instead focus on using alternative methods of providing air cover to Ukraine, such as long range missiles and drones.
Mr Zelensky earlier thanked the EU Parliament for the help Ukraine has been receiving to defend itself against the Russian invasion, having won promises of Western battle tanks in recent weeks.
He also said that he believed his country would join the European Union after emerging victorious from its war with Russia.
