U. S. practically approved transfer of F16 fighter jets to Ukraine
2023.02.21 14:29
U. S. practically approved transfer of F16 fighter jets to Ukraine
By Kristina Sobol
Budrigannews.com – During a visit to the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, a senior American lawmaker stated that Washington was moving toward sending Kyiv the long-range missiles and fighter jets it wanted to fight Russia’s invasion.
The Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, stated that the National Security Council and the Biden administration were still divided regarding “how quickly and what weapons” to send to Ukraine, which wants F-16s and ATACMS missiles.
He told reporters in the center of Kyiv, “But I’m seeing increasing momentum towards getting the artillery and the planes in.” In any case, we can immediately begin training the pilots to ensure their readiness.”
Since Russia’s attack on February 24, Washington has provided $24 billion in security assistance but has not yet sent planes or long-range missiles.
McCaul was in Kyiv as part of a congressional delegation the day after President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to the city and promised $500 million in new military aid.
The legislator who met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed that the Ukrainian leader gave him a wishlist of weapons, including F-16s and ATACMS, which he claimed were intended “to go all the way into Crimea” to strike Iranian drones that had been used in recent air strikes.
