The U.S. and its allies will begin training Ukrainians on F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets after months of lobbying and requests from Kyiv, the latest in the effort to help the Western-style democracy fend off a Russian invasion.
President Joe Biden broke the news to world leaders at the Group of Seven summit in Japan on Friday, according to a U.S. official with knowledge of the decision, and the move was hailed by the U.K. and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media.
“The U.S. will support a joint effort with our allies and partners to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-16s, to further strengthen and improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force,” the U.S. official told Military.com in an email.
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U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised the announcement in a tweet, saying his country “will work together with the USA and the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark to get Ukraine the combat air capability it needs.”
Zelenskyy said that he welcomed the “historic” decision and that it will “greatly enhance our army in the sky.” The leader of Ukraine, known for his forceful stand against Russian President Vladimir Putin's onslaught and his signature olive drab outfits, was expected to participate in the meeting of leaders in Japan on Sunday, according to The…
