So far, the opinions of partner countries on the provision of combat aircraft range from a categorical “no” of German Defense Minister Pistorius to “there is nothing tabooed” by French President Macron.
The tanks provided by our partners to Ukraine have not yet reached their destination when the discussion about aircraft is unfolding with renewed vigor. American F-16 fighters are more often named among the vehicles that may suit the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The President of the United States first answered “no” to the question of providing them to Ukraine, the next day he specified that he would “talk to Zelensky,” the report says. TSN.
After being asked by a reporter whether the United States was going to transfer F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, President Joe Biden threw one word – no, the influential publication Politico, citing informed sources in the White House, clarified: a really serious discussion on this topic in the office there was no American president yet. Therefore, it is impossible to say with certainty whether it meant no: “never” or “not now.” President Biden himself clarified the next day that intends to talk with Zelensky.
If we are talking about deliveries of F-16s, the United States will at least agree as a manufacturing country, but often Washington’s position becomes decisive in making collective decisions on most types of weapons that partners provide to Ukraine. So far, the model and the manufacturer of the aircraft have not been discussed, Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov said at a press conference in Paris the day before. The Ukrainian authorities nevertheless demonstrate a persistent desire for substantive discussions about the supply of combat aircraft to begin. “I don’t know how soon the response from the Western allies will be. But, you know, a year ago I was in Washington, asked for stengers and the answer was “It’s impossible, Alexey.” You know that it has become possible. So we’ll see. But I am an optimist and I hope that this will happen as soon as possible, ”says Reznikov.
So far, the views of the partner countries on the provision of combat aircraft – ranging from a categorical “no” by German Defense Minister Pistorius to “nothing tabooed” by French President Macron, “impractical and impractical” – through the mouth of a representative of the British government and a categorical “yes” said by the President of Lithuania Nausedoy. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recently among those making the decision. He says that the main obstacle with the planes is the same – the unwillingness to escalate with Russia. “Every time we were told that we should not provide a certain type of weapon because of the risk of escalation, experience has shown that this was a mistake. Quite recently they said that there was no need to even think about tanks – that was not long ago, but now we are all giving tanks. So, my main argument: let’s continue the discussion, but let’s not delay. It is vital that Ukraine get the equipment it needs as quickly as possible. This is humane for Ukraine and the whole world,” said Boris Johnson.
But there is also a time factor: training, for example, for an F-16 pilot – from a simulator to solo flights – lasts two years. And infrastructure – modern combat aircraft need modernized airfields, trained mechanics and maintenance. Last summer, the United States Congress allocated $100 million to train Ukrainian pilots in 2023. But Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur said they expect partners to do the same. “Other countries offered to help. In my opinion, the US should be part of a coalition and work hard to provide these legal education services. This is a complex case requiring the involvement of several countries. We have no doubt that Ukrainians are excellent pilots and will be even better after their studies to help win this war. But we must act in coalition. The US will not do it on its own,” Kaptur notes.
The next meeting of the Ramstein group is scheduled for mid-February. No one predicts such a quick decision to provide aircraft to Ukraine. However, Ukraine’s intention to start this conversation is beyond doubt.
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