Joe Biden rules out sending jets to Ukraine
Joe Biden has ruled out sending F-16 jets to Ukraine, just a week after agreeing to send 31 Abrams tanks to the war-torn country.
The US president was asked by a reporter if the US would provide planes, and he replied simply “no.”
Ukraine has asked again for air support, saying they need the jets to take control of its airspace.
The president’s comments come just a day after Germany also ruled out sending their fighter jets.
F-16 Fighting Falcons are among the best and most reliable fighter jets in the world and are used by other countries, such as Belgium and Pakistan.
The US announced last week that it would supply Kyiv with tanks, following the pledges already made by Germany and the UK.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrii Melnyk, welcomed that announcement but asked allies for the creation of a “fighter jet coalition” that would also provide Ukraine with Eurofighters, Tornados, French Rafales and Swedish Gripen jets.
‘Nato not at war with Russia’
Speaking to the German newspaper Tagesspiegel, Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz said the Nato military alliance was not at war with Russia and it would “not allow such an escalation” – (sending other military aid to Ukraine).
Moscow accuses Nato of being an aggressor by proxy and members of the alliance – including the US and Germany have been reluctant to send military aid that could escalate the conflict.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, echoed this sentiment recently – saying that while “nothing is excluded” when it comes to supporting Ukraine, it must neither further inflame the situation nor limit France’s ability to defend itself.
Poland has indicated it is prepared to send fighter jets in coordination with Nato.
Other EU counties have not yet given a definitive response on whether they will send fighter jets.
