The White House commented on Joe Biden's statement that Ukraine will not receive F-16 fighters. They defended the position of the US President.
White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby noted the assistance that the United States is already providing to Ukraine. He also mentioned the provision of Abrams tanks.
What is known about fighters from the USA
Lots of opportunities are provided and will be shipped over the coming weeks and months. The kinds of capabilities that will be critical to helping the Ukrainians fight in the winter, as well as the kind of fighting we expect to see in the spring,” said John Kirby.
Also, facilitator The White House National Security Council said it did not believe the decision on the Abrams tanks came too late given Russia's reports of its seizure of territory in eastern Ukraine. According to Kirby:
- the decision on tanks, which was made not only by the US, but also by the Germans and before that by the British, was designed to help Ukraine in the battles expected in the spring of 2023;
- this was one of those cases when the US try to predict what kind of needs Ukraine will need when the weather improves;
- can expect the Russians to try to go on the offensive then.
Biden's response to the fighter question: see video
What is known about F-16 fighters from the USA
- Just on January 29, Politico wrote that the US Department of Defense was discussing the sending of F-16 fighters to Ukraine. However, the final decision has not yet been made.
- Already on January 30, journalists asked the US president whether the United States would provide fighter jets to Ukraine. To which Joe Biden said: “No.”
- Subsequently, the media assumed that the US President did not hear the question. There was a lot of noise outside. However, it is now clear that Biden could have heard the questions.
