Ukraine has long sought F-16 fighter jets (Picture: AFP)
Russia has warned Western countries that supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets will carry ‘colossal risks’.
As world leaders meet in Japan for the second day of the G7 summit, Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko issued a warning to them.
He told the Russian state news agency Tass: ‘We can see that Western countries continue to stick to an escalation scenario, which carries enormous risks for them.
‘In any case, we will take it into account when making plans.
‘We have all the necessary means to achieve our goals.’
US President Joe Biden reportedly told G7 allies on Friday he will allow Ukrainian pilots to be trained on American-made F-16 fighter jets.
G7 leaders, from some of the world’s wealthiest nations, issued a joint statement yesterday saying: ‘We hereby pledge, from Hiroshima, the “symbol of peace”, that G7 members will mobilize all our policy instruments and, together with Ukraine, make every effort to bring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.’
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky arrived in Hiroshima, Japan, to attend G7 Leaders’ summit (Picture: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images)
Kyiv has since the start of the more than year-long war begged Western officials for the versatile supersonic fighter jet.
As Ukraine is pounded by Russian missiles and drones, Kyiv officials say the jet’s powerful radar can spot targets from far away to shoot them down, proving a vital line of defence.
But Biden resisted, with him and other Western politicians wary that doing so could provoke Moscow if used to strike deep within Russian territory.
While some NATO countries have said they’re happy to hand their F-16s over to Kyiv, this would need America’s approval as it manufactures them.
US National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters in Hiroshima this morning that the West has so far ‘focused on providing Ukraine with the systems weapon and training it needs to conduct offensive operations this spring and summer’.
This would be the latest in Washington’s ‘long-term commitment to Ukraine’s self-defence’.
US President Joe Biden has agreed to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s (Picture: EPA)
‘As the training unfolds in the coming months, we will work with our allies to determine when planes will be delivered, who will be delivering them, and how many,’ Sullivan added.
He said that Biden will speak with G7 leaders about how best to supply Kyiv with the jets.
Though, delivering the aircraft could take months – likely too late for Ukraine to use in its looming counteroffensive.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted yesterday: ‘I welcome the historic decision of the United States and @POTUS to support an international fighter jet coalition.
‘This will greatly enhance our army in the sky.’
Zekensky landed in Japan earlier this morning ahead of meetings with G7 leaders tomorrow.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the ‘positive progress’ (Picture: AFP)
Greeted by Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister’s office said Sunak welcomes the ‘very positive progress’ on providing Ukraine with fighter jets.
‘The Prime Minister reiterated that the UK would continue to provide Ukraine with the military assistance needed to win the war and secure a just peace,’ Downing Street said.
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‘We have all the necessary means to achieve our goals.’
