America is exploring whether or not it might probably ship US-made fighter jets to Ukraine, a White Home spokesman advised reporters on Friday (22 July), because the battle with Russia is about to enter its sixth month and preventing rages in jap Ukraine.
Whereas the Biden administration was making preliminary explorations into the feasibility of doubtless offering the jets to Ukraine, the transfer just isn’t one thing that might be accomplished instantly, White Home spokesman John Kirby advised reporters in a briefing.
“It’s not one thing that might be executed within the near-term,” Kirby stated.
Such a transfer could be a significant enhance in US help for Ukraine in its battle in opposition to Russia. To date america has supplied $8.2 billion in safety support for Ukraine.
Final week Air Pressure Chief of Employees Common Charles “CQ” Brown stated the US and allies are beginning to study potential coaching for Ukrainian pilots. Ukraine’s air power has publicly flagged its hopes for F-15s and F-16s.
Kirby additionally disclosed particulars of the most recent US arms package deal for Ukraine, which totaled $270 million to help in its protection in opposition to Russian aggression, together with $100 million for drones.
The package deal, licensed by US President Joe Biden, will permit Kiev to accumulate 580 of privately held AEVEX Aerospace LLC’s Phoenix Ghost unmanned aerial automobiles, Kirby stated.
The package deal contains one other tranche of as much as round $175 million for different protection support, a separate White Home memo stated.
It might embody extra excessive mobility artillery rocket methods (HIMARS) and different weapons that Ukrainians are utilizing on the battlefield, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in a press release.
The extra US funding comes as Ukraine seeks to fend off Moscow because the worst battle in Europe since World Struggle Two continued into its fifth month.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week stated his forces may inflict main harm on Russia as Kyiv leans on Western weapons in deliberate efforts to launch a counterattack and recapture territory.
In an interview with the Wall Avenue Journal on Friday, Zelenskyy stated a ceasefire with Russia with out reclaiming misplaced territories would solely delay the warfare.
He warned {that a} ceasefire that permits Russia to maintain Ukrainian territories seized because the invasion in February would solely encourage an excellent wider battle, giving Moscow a possibility to replenish and rearm for the following spherical.
(Edited by Georgi Gotev)
