Joe Biden rules out sending F-16 fighter planes to Ukraine
Key takeaways:
- Ukraine is asking for fighter jets from Joe Biden to help strengthen its air fleet in its ongoing battle with Russia.
US President Joe Biden has ruled out giving F-16 fighter planes to Ukraine, despite revived calls from Ukrainian officials for critical air support.
Joe Biden says NO to Ukraine for fighter jets:
Questioned by a journalist on Monday if the US would be sending the planes, Mr Biden answered, “no”.
His statement comes a day after Germany’s head also ruled out sending planes.
Ukraine has long been pressing its allies to send advanced fighter jets to help Kyiv take control of its airspace in its endless battle with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the nation’s top military officers say there should be no taboos on such military help – but the US and its allies worry this would lead to further escalation with a nuclear-armed Russia.
US-made F-16 Fighting Falcons are widely regarded as one of the planet’s most reliable fighter planes and are used by other nations, such as Belgium and Pakistan.
They would be a significant climb on the Soviet-era fighting jets – especially MiGs – Ukraine is now using, which were made before the nation proclaimed independence from the USSR in 1991.
Joe Biden on Ukraine’s military help:
However, Mr Biden has often overlooked Ukraine’s requests for the planes, instead concentrating on providing military aid in other areas.
The US declared it would help Kyiv with 31 Abrams tanks last week, changing its earlier stance. The UK and Germany also committed similar help.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk admitted that announcement but asked partners to make a “fighter jet coalition” that would even provide Ukraine with Eurofighters, Tornados, French Rafales and Swedish Gripen planes.
In an interview on Sunday, Germany’s chancellor said it “seemed silly” to differ in sending other military help to Ukraine when his country had just committed to providing Leopard 2 tanks.
