National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Washington supports efforts by other countries to train Ukrainian pilots to fly American-made F-16 fighter jets. According to him, in the coming months, the US authorities will discuss with the allies who, when and in what quantity to deliver aircraft to Ukraine.
“President Biden told his G7 colleagues that the United States would support a concerted effort to train Ukrainian pilots in the use of fourth-generation fighter jets, including the F-16,” Sullivan said.
He stressed that the fighters would be subject to the condition not to attack the territory of Russia, no matter which country surrenders them to Ukraine.
“Ukraine has consistently stated that it is ready to follow up,” Sullivan added.
The vice president of the United States also said With military support from Kiev, the US moves to “avoid a third world war”. At the same time, according to him, Washington plans to “do everything possible to support Ukraine, which defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The White House representative noted that the American side was watching the reaction of the Russian authorities when delivering certain types of weapons to Kiev.
Warriors – not the most necessary
Sullivan emphasized that the F-16s, unlike the HIMARS MLRS, are not included in the set of weapons that Ukraine needs to carry out a counterattack. He pointed out that for the offensive operation, the USA supplied Ukraine with tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and artillery shells.
“Our approach to providing Ukrainians with weapons, supplies and training meets the needs of the conflict … F-16s are not part of this kit. And the President [Джо Байден] Sullivan made it clear that the potential of the F-16 for the purposes of this counterattack … is not at the top of the list.
But according to the deputy presidency, “it’s time to look to the future and say what Ukraine will need in the future as a military force.” According to him, Kiev may need warriors after a while. Now, said the assistant, these planes are “not fit for war.”
The Most Effective Defender of F-16 Deliveries
Citing sources, The Washington Post points out that Biden’s US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken’s supply of F-16s to Kiev from the arsenal of European countries is its “main force” and its most influential supporter.
In particular, the newspaper writes that he actively negotiated with representatives of European countries to send fighters. The publication emphasizes that Blinken had previously pushed the White House to the decision to hand over M1 Abrams tanks to the Ukrainian army, despite the Pentagon’s resistance that allowed European countries to begin delivering their tanks to Kiev.
The newspaper’s interlocutors reported that the US authorities have ceased to object to the supply of fighters from EU countries, including pressure from NATO allies, the US Congress and the President of Ukraine.
G7 summit resolutions
According to the news that Politico and CNN cite sources, Joe Biden plans to announce a new 375 million dollar military aid package to Ukraine at the G7 summit in Hiroshima. CNN interlocutors said that the package will include artillery, ammunition and rocket launchers. Politico writes that the aid will include armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons.
Also, a personal meeting is expected between Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit, the White House reported.
Citing sources earlier, CNN stated that the US administration has made it clear that it will not block the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to its European allies. NBC stated that the US and its allies are planning to transfer the planes to Kiev, but they may not come directly from Washington.
The TV channel stressed that the F-16s “will not be used in the upcoming counterattack” of the Ukrainian troops and that the training will most likely take place in Europe and will take several months.
On 17 May, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands announced their plans to work towards “forming an international coalition to provide Ukraine with combat aviation capabilities, including the training and purchase of F-16s”. Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yuriy Sak said that Kiev needs 40-60 fighters to strengthen its air defense.