“European Allies to Provide F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine: Updates from G7 Hiroshima Summit”

2023-05-20 07:38:31

A senior US White House official told NHK in an interview in Hiroshima, where the G7 summit is being held, that European allies would provide Ukraine with the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine says it needs to counterattack Russia. If you decide to

Kirby, the White House Strategic Public Relations Coordinator, who is accompanying US President Biden attending the G7 Hiroshima Summit, responded to an NHK interview in Hiroshima on the 19th.

In it, Kirby said of the U.S.-developed F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine is seeking to counter-offensive against Russia, “it is unlikely that European allies and friends are looking for any opportunities. I understand,” he said.

On top of that, he said, “We respect all decisions,” and indicated that if NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries decided to provide F16 fighters to Ukraine, they would accept it.

Regarding F16 fighter jets, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Japan and participates face-to-face at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, it is believed that he will strongly request the United States and other NATO member countries to provide them. What is the United States’ position? It was noted whether to show.

Within Europe, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have shown a willingness to help with procurement, while the United States has so far reiterated its stance that it will not provide.

“President Biden delivers training support for F16” US media

In connection with this, US media Bloomberg reported on the 19th that President Biden told the leaders of each country at the G7 Hiroshima Summit that he would support the implementation of training for Ukrainian military pilots using F16 fighter jets. rice field.

Citing a senior Biden administration official, the training will begin in the coming weeks and will take place in Europe outside of Ukraine.

U.S. Advisor Holds Conference on “Supporting Training Implementation”

Sullivan, who is in charge of security policy at the White House, held a press conference in Hiroshima, where the G7 summit was being held. In that case, he said he would accept it and support training using F16 fighter jets.

In February, President Biden said, “There is no need at this time. In response, Sullivan said, “Nothing has changed. .

Furthermore, when asked if it would increase tensions with Russia, he said, “The capabilities provided by the United States to Ukraine do not enable attacks on Russian territory.” emphasized the support of

President Zelensky tweeted that he welcomed the decision of the United States

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted on Wednesday that he would support training Ukrainian military pilots in F16 fighter jets, amid media reports that President Biden had told G7 leaders he would help conduct training for Ukrainian military pilots in F16 fighter jets. We welcome America’s historic decision to help, which will greatly enhance the capabilities of our military.”

On that basis, he expressed his expectation that discussions on further military assistance to Ukraine would proceed, stating, “I hope to discuss efforts to implement this decision at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.”

Britain, the Netherlands, and Denmark also announced their support

Following the announcement that the United States would help train Ukrainian military pilots on F-16 fighter jets, British Prime Minister Sunak tweeted: “Welcome to the announcement. We will work with the United States, Holland, Belgium and Denmark to get it,” he wrote.

“Ukraine can count on the unwavering support of the Netherlands and its international partners. We are ready to work with our allies on the details,” he wrote.

According to the British think tank IISS = International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Netherlands has 42 F16 fighters, Belgium has 53, and Denmark has 44.

Although not owned by the UK, we are working to build an “international coalition” to support Ukraine’s procurement of fighter planes, and from this summer onwards, fighter pilot training for Ukrainian military pilots. It shows the policy to carry out

What is F16 fighter

The F16 fighter is a fighter developed in the United States operated by the United States Air Force.

The U.S. Air Force says, “It has excellent maneuverability and is effective in fighter-to-fighter combat and ground attacks, and can provide the United States and its allies with a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system.”

According to the manufacturing company, the F16 fighter has been delivered to more than 25 countries and regions such as Belgium, the Netherlands, South Korea and Taiwan, and more than 3,000 are still in operation.

The U.S. government has said that prior approval is required for countries that possess weapons developed in the U.S. to transfer or sell them to a third country, and that U.S. approval is required to provide F16 fighter jets to Ukraine. there was.

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