One of the most widespread combat aircraft in the world is poised to debut in the skies above Ukraine this autumn.
In a historic decision, the Biden administration announced it would support an international fighter jet coalition by training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. President Biden is prepared to let the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark send American-made F-16 fighters to Ukraine.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken was the driving force behind the sharp reversal.
The Biden administration had long been reluctant to provide Ukraine with warplanes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky desperately hoped to change the president’s mind.
On Sunday, Biden said that Zelensky assured him that no F-16s would be used to launch attacks over Russian territory.
As USA Today reports:
“I have a flat assurance from Zelenskyy that they will not, they will not use it to go on and move into Russian geographic territory,” Biden said at a press conference in Hiroshima, Japan.
Biden told G-7 leaders Friday the U.S. would assist with training Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter aircraft, including American-made F-16s, in a possible signal that Washington is closer to arming Ukraine with the aircraft. Zelenskyy met with Biden and other world leaders in Japan on Sunday. Ukraine is expected to mount a counteroffensive this spring against Russian troops.
“The expectation and hope is that they will be successful,” Biden said, though declining to elaborate on details discussed with Zelenskyy about the counteroffensive.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked its Western allies to supply it with modern jets to fight back against Russia. Many have been reluctant to do so for fear of the risk of being drawn into the war and because they fear it could spill over into NATO territory. Biden said it is “highly unlikely” the F-16s will be used as part of Ukraine’s upcoming counteroffensive but will be used later if the war continues.
Biden unveiled a new $375 million assistance package to Kyiv on Sunday. U.S. aid to Ukraine stands at $37 billion since Russia’s unprovoked invasion began.
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What took so damn long/?
Fleecing of the American Taxpayer again. Europe gives away their 40 y/o design F-16s and America pays for new billion dollar F-22s/F-35s. Such a deal.
We can’t give away F-22’s. It’s still ‘illegal’; and we don’t have enough to even think about it. We only have about 180 F-22’s, and can only field about 80 at a time. There is no replacement schedule for F-22’s. And it is probably the most important airframe in service.
Unprovoked? You need to broaden your research.
And where is the money coming from, Biden?. We don’t want to borrow the money from China to hand it over to Ukraine.
Let’s face it BADun wants his war, he has a lot of that deflecting stuff needing done! He is a demon infested godless freak no natter what he does, it’s all toward his stated GOAL of destroying America!
WWIII here we come…