Change in US position on F-16 is initiated by Pentagon chief

This was reported by the New York Times, citing its own sources.

After the Ramstein meeting on April 21, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senior Biden administration officials that it was time to change the position on pilot training and allow other countries to transfer aircraft to Ukraine.

The White House resisted the decision to provide fighter jets to Ukraine because the aircraft could be used to strike at Russian territory, potentially prompting the Kremlin to escalate. Pentagon officials noted that other types of weapons, especially air defense systems, are needed by Ukraine in the first place. Also, the Biden administration was stopped by the high price of the fighter jet - up to USD 63 million per unit.

But the Pentagon eventually changed course, just as it did with the provision of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. Austin received unanimous approval from Biden's senior national security officials, a defense official said.

Ahead of last week's G7 summit, Austin formally recommended that Biden allow allies to train Ukrainians and provide their aircraft.

• On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved Ukrainian training on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assures that Ukraine will not use these planes to strike at Russian territory.

• Ukraine hopes to receive the first modern American F-16 fighters in the fall of 2023.