Congressmen press Biden to send F-16s and ATACMS to Ukraine – The Hill

The Hill reported on Friday.

"Members of congress from both parties have called on Biden to supply Ukraine with long-range rocket artillery, called ATACMS, and modern F-16 fighter jets," the publication notes.

The US administration has so far refused to take such a step and claims that the United States does not have excess ATACMS systems, and the aircraft are not a priority for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

However, Washington's promise to provide Ukraine with M1 Abrams main battle tanks after the White House refused to do so for months has given cause for optimism.

Now, a group of lawmakers believe that F-16 aircraft and long-range missiles should be the logical next step. The equipment could be key to Ukraine's defence and counteroffensive, members of Congress argue.

Among them, the publication cites the names of Biden's fellow party members – Jason Crow, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jared Golden, Mark Kelly and others.

Some US military leaders also agree with this position.

• As a reminder, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov is convinced that Ukraine will "finilize" the issue of F-16 fighters for the Armed Forces.

• Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the supply of F-16s to Ukraine would not lead to an escalation, as these are not the first weapons Ukraine has received.