Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, has voiced concerns over the plans of the United States and Western allies to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and assist in pilot training amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Grushko emphasized the “enormous risks” associated with this escalation in a statement to Russia’s state news agency TASS, suggesting that such actions by Western countries would be considered when making Russia’s plans. Despite these developments, he asserted Russia’s confidence in its ability to achieve its goals.
President Joe Biden’s announcement at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, regarding the United States’ support for supplying American-made F-16s to Ukraine and providing pilot training triggered Grushko’s response. Other NATO allies, such as Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway, were also identified as potential aircraft suppliers to Ukraine.
This move signifies a notable shift in the stance of the Biden administration, which had previously declined Ukraine’s repeated requests for F-16s. President Biden also mentioned that, in addition to sending the F-16s, America would train Ukrainian pilots to operate these fighter jets and other aircraft. However, specific details regarding the delivery timeline or the country responsible for providing the fighter jets remain uncertain.
A senior US government official assured NBC News that the F-16s would not be employed in the upcoming counteroffensive, but no further clarification was provided. The situation continues to evolve, with tensions escalating between Russia, the US, and its Western allies over the decision to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities.