US will give Ukraine F-16s on the condition of not striking Russia

The F-16 fighter jets, which Ukraine will receive from the allies, will be provided on the condition that they will not be used to attack Russia.

Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor of the United States, during a briefing on Friday, 19 May, made the following statement.

All of the capabilities that the United States has proven to Ukraine come with the basic proposition that the United States is not enabling or supporting attacks on Russian territory. That will go for the support for the provision of F-16s by any party as well, he noted.

Sullivan also said that after the decision to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, the US and its allies will work to determine when the planes will be delivered, who will deliver them, and how many.

We have delivered what we promised. We have given Ukraine what it needs based on consultation between our military and theirs. Now we have moved to discussions on improving the Ukrainian Air Force as part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine's self-defense, Sullivan emphasized.

US President Joe Biden has assured G7 leaders that the state will support efforts to train Ukrainian pilots on Western-style aircraft, including the F-16.

Biden's administration made it clear to the European allies that the US will not prevent them from supplying F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the US decision to support the international coalition of fighter jets.