The question of a possible delivery of Western F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine remains open, even after the recent meeting of the International Contact Group for the Coordination of Military Aid. “I have no announcements to make,” said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Tuesday afternoon after deliberations of the so-called Ramstein Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels. He wanted to leave it at that.
However, Austin stressed that the US would not ban Poland from supplying Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. “The United States has never prevented Poland from supplying anything,” he said. This is the decision of the leaders of a country and the US will not and cannot dictate such a thing.
The defense minister was responding to a question about the widespread reading of a dispute over the supply of fighter jets last year. It says that at that time the US was actively preventing Poland from supplying MiG-29s to Ukraine.
In the margins of the meeting in Brussels, the Netherlands was open to the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Kiev. It is true that the Ukrainians have asked their country for F-16s, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said. You take this request “very seriously”.
At the same time, Ollongren pointed out that the F-16 is a complex weapons system and the issue should be discussed with partners such as the US. “Ukraine is well aware that this is something that will take time,” she said. Fighter jets cannot be compared to the main battle tanks now being delivered to Ukraine for combat in the coming months.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak recalled that the issue of the transfer of F-16 fighter jets first arose right after the start of the Russian attack. He believes that, as with the issue of Leopard tanks or Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, “pressure should be put on the Allies,” he said. Although Poland only has 48 fighter jets of this type, other allies have much greater potential. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
