The US says it will allow its Western allies to supply Ukraine with advanced fighter jets, including American-made F-16s, a major military boost for Ukraine, whose leadership has sought for the jets since the war began in February 2022.
US National security adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden “informed his G7 counterparts” of the decision at the bloc’s summit in Japan on Friday night, May 19. He said US troops will also train Kyiv’s pilots to use the jets.
However, no government has so far confirmed it will give advanced fighter jets to Kyiv.
“Now we have turned to discussions about improving the Ukrainian air force as part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine’s self-defence. As the training unfolds in the coming months, we will work with our allies to determine when planes will be delivered, who will be delivering them, and how many.” he added
Ahead of Saturday’s official announcement, President Zelensky said the jets would “greatly enhance our army in the sky”.
The US had been sceptical about providing Ukraine with modern fighter jets with some NATO member countries worrying that handing jets to Ukraine would be viewed as escalating the war, risking a direct confrontation with Russia.
Sullivan told reporters that the US had provided weapons to Kyiv as they were needed on the battlefield, and the decision to pave the way for fighter jets indicated the conflict had entered a new phase.
Sullivan also indicated any jets Ukraine received would only be used for defence purposes, adding the US would neither enable nor support attacks on Russian territory
“The Ukrainians have consistently indicated that they are prepared to follow through on that,” he said.
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