United States doesn’t block delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by its allies, according to CNN

19.05.2023 12:25

Ukrinform

Over the past few weeks, the administration of President Joe Biden has made it clear to European allies that the United States will not obstruct them in delivering F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

This is reported by CNN, citing sources, according to Ukrinform.

“While the US remains reluctant to send any of its own F-16s to Kyiv, US officials told CNN that the administration is prepared to approve the export of the jets to Ukraine if that is what allies decide to do with their supply” the statement reads.

It is noted that several European countries possess American F-16 fighter jets, including the Netherlands, which has expressed readiness to export some of them to Ukraine.

However, there have been no official requests to the Biden administration regarding this matter yet.

The Coordinator of the National Security Council for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, refused to comment on the possibility of the United States sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine but mentioned that the country is considering its needs and future possibilities.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, stated that he had agreed with his Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte, to "work on creating an international coalition to provide Ukraine with combat air capabilities, providing support in everything from training to the procurement of F-16s."