Statement by US President Joe Biden that America will not supply Ukraine with F-16 aircraft, is not Washington's final position. The United States has not yet discussed the provision of fighters to Ukraine at a high level.
Therefore, Biden's negative answer to the question of providing Ukraine with modern fighters may not be Washington's final position. This publication Politico reports with reference to an American official who spoke on condition of anonymity.Asked to comment on Biden's remarks, the official said “there has been no major high-level discussion regarding the F-16.”
“In other words, Biden's statement does not appear to be the result of an internal policy review, but the position of the person who makes the final decision,” Politico states.
What is known about Biden's statement
On January 30, US President Joe Biden, when asked whether America would supply modern fighter jets to Ukraine, said no.
Journalists emphasize that Biden probably could not have heard the question as he was getting out of the helicopter where was the noise. Therefore, it is impossible to argue that the United States categorically refused to supply aircraft to Ukraine.
The White House commented on Biden's statement, but did not give a specific answer. John Kirby, White House National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, only noted the assistance that the United States is already providing to Ukraine.
It should be noted that earlier the United States did not rule out the supply of F-16 multipurpose fighter jets to Ukraine. White House Deputy National Security Adviser John Finer said the US would “very carefully” discuss the idea of supplying fighter jets with Kyiv and its allies.
Before the intensification of hostilities in the spring, Ukraine seeks to get Western aviation into tanks as well. This will allow the Ukrainian military to operate more effectively on the battlefield.
The Netherlands and Poland have already agreed to transfer the fighters to Ukraine. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out the supply of aircraft to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposes the transfer of aircraft to the Ukrainian military. Foreign media informed that NATO is already discussing aircraft.
It is known that on February 14 another meeting in the Ramstein format will take place, at which fighters for Ukraine can be discussed.
