US Administration intend To allow the allies to transport their F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, the TV channel reported on Friday (May 19th). CNN with reference to sources.
The White House is allegedly signaling that it will not block the supply of F-16s to its European allies, as it is “under constant pressure from Congress and other countries”.
However, the broadcaster said that US administration officials were unaware of official export requests for the planes and that State Department officials had not yet received an order to process paperwork for the planes’ release.
“Some officials doubt the expediency of delivering the F-16s to Kiev. They believe that Russian air defense is effective against fighters, so the Armed Forces of Ukraine carry out few missions using the military aviation they already have, ”the publication says.
On May 17, US Vice President Jake Sullivan reminded that Washington has not changed its plans to supply F-16s to Ukraine and is still not considering supplying fighter jets to Kiev. TASS.
according to the newspaper New York TimesUS authorities do not allow Ukrainian pilots to undergo combat training on F-16 fighter planes from European countries, because Washington will not transfer these planes to Kiev.
The Pentagon reported the other day that the US military could train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets in four months instead of 18.
“Coalition of Warriors”
At the European Council summit in Reykjavik this week, British officials said they are working with the Netherlands to form an international coalition to help Ukraine get F-16s from its allies. Berlin, Washington and London had previously refused to supply Kiev with their own fighters.
During his visit to Berlin on 14 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he plans to discuss the supply of fighter jets, describing one of his goals as forming a coalition of countries ready to supply fighter jets to Ukraine.
On 17 May, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said that London would not transfer Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Kiev because training Ukrainian pilots would take too long.
“At this time, we will not send warplanes to Ukraine. “We have repeatedly stated that the Eurofighter Typhoon would not be a suitable choice,” he said.
In response, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Germany will not supply fighter jets to Ukraine in the near future. He noted that Berlin “cannot play an active role in the war coalition”.
According to him, the Bundeswehr “has no opportunities for neither pilot nor aircraft training.” Pistorius added that Germany faces other challenges in helping Ukraine.
“We are experts in tanks and air defense. We are in a leading position in supporting Ukraine in these areas. And it will continue to be so,” he assured.
On May 18, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said that the issue of shipping F-16 warplanes to Ukraine is currently on the agenda. not worth it on the agenda.
“As for the F-16… it’s not on the agenda right now. I really don’t want to speculate about possible future transfers. [вооружения]”, – said.