The US previously refused to provide fighter jets to Ukraine because they were not “critical” to the expected Ukrainian counter-offensive, but conditions are changing.
US President Joe Biden has not yet made a final decision on whether the United States will provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine or its allies, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday.
On CNN’s State of the Union, Sullivan was asked if the US would send planes directly to Ukraine.
“I think that with the number of F-16s that are now available in the warehouses of our European allies, and based on the money that Congress has given us, there are so many other system priorities that could be given, maybe even more we’re still focused on a third party handover, but the President hasn’t made a final decision yet,” Sullivan said.
The US had previously refused to provide fighter jets to Ukraine because they were not “critical” to the expected Ukrainian counteroffensive, he said, but conditions were changing.
“The United States has mobilized an extraordinary effort to provide Ukraine with everything it needs to launch this counteroffensive on time and in full. Now that we have done so, we can count on Ukraine’s long-term ability to defend itself and prevent Russian invasion.Fourth generation fighter, Western fighter
The F-16s are essential to this fight,” Sullivan said.
Recall that at the initial stage, several dozen Western F-16 fighters may be transferred to Ukraine.
Biden confirmed his agreement to train Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighter jet during talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Japan. Biden said he had received “strong assurances” from the Ukrainian president that the F-16s would not be used for attacks on Russian soil.
One step closer. When Ukraine will receive F-16 aircraft
Source: korrespondent
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