US confirms participation in fighter jet coalition for Ukraine, allies to discuss transfer of F-16s to Kyiv
Photo: uk.wikipedia.org
The United States of America has decided to join the efforts of other allied countries to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighters, including the F-16.
Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser to the US president, confirmed that at a briefing for journalists.
A representative of the Biden administration reaffirmed that in the coming months, the US and its allies will discuss when and in what quantity Ukraine will receive modern fighter jets.
Reporters asked Sullivan why the United States had not granted Ukraine's request for the F-16 earlier.
Biden's adviser emphasized that the priority for Washington was to prepare Kyiv for a counteroffensive and provide appropriate means – from tanks to combat vehicles, rocket launcher systems, and artillery ammunition.
"The F-16 fighter jets are not part of that set (tools – ed.). And the president (Biden – ed.) indicated that for the purposes of this counteroffensive, the capabilities of the F-16, compared to everything else I talked about, were not paramount," Sullivan emphasized.
A representative of the Biden Administration recalled that the United States and allies in recent months have focused on providing Ukraine with the means and equipment necessary to conduct effective offensive operations this spring and summer.
"We have provided Ukraine with what it needs, based on close consultation between our military and their military. And now we have moved on to discuss improving the Ukrainian Air Force as part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine's self-defense," Sullivan explained.
What information is available regarding training Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets?
It should be noted that Britain was the first to agree to train Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter jets. It is planned to start training in the summer.
In addition, the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands and Great Britain agreed to work on forming an international coalition of fighter jets for Ukraine.
After Britain, France also supported such an initiative. President Emmanuel Macron said this week that pilot training could begin "as soon as now."
In addition, on May 19, US President Joe Biden said that his country supports training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16.
This event marked the beginning of a coalition of fighter jets for Ukraine, the head of the Office of President Andriy Yermak reacted later.
It should be noted that earlier in the mass media, it was reported that the USA and its allies planned to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. At the same time, the delivery dates are still unknown. The planes will not participate in a possible counteroffensive of the Ukrainian army.
