Former Pentagon chief calls on US to provide Ukraine with fighter jets and long-range missiles as soon as possible

Former Pentagon chief Mark Esper (2019-2020) said this, Voice of America reports.

"We are concerned about Russia's offensive in the spring, which is March, which is five weeks away. So let's look at the logistics - it takes weeks to deliver the tanks, and it takes weeks to train the crew. We need to teach them not only individual skills, but also how to work collectively, and we need to create logistics and resupply systems. I'm afraid we won't be ready in time," said the former US Secretary of Defense.

Esper said that in order to be successful, Ukraine should have received the tanks in the fall. He urged the White House not to delay providing the Ukrainian Armed Forces with long-range ATACMS missiles and F-16 fighters.

"Instead of reacting to the threat of a Russian offensive, I would prefer to see the Ukrainians go on the offensive right now, while the Russian forces are still trying to train, equip and organise their military. But now we are behind, the tanks should have been delivered to the Ukrainians in September or October," the former Pentagon chief emphasised.

• Poland has declared its readiness to transfer its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine if it is agreed upon at the NATO level.