The Pentagon has greeted with skepticism President Joe Biden’s blunt refusal to send F-16s to Ukraine, writes the Washington Post. Kiev is asking for new weapons to be used in the war with Russia. Given the recurrence of the White House’s initial refusal to send any weapons systems requested by Kiev, the scenario in which the warplanes will eventually be given the green light is anticipated. They even coined a term: a decision that is “M1-ed,” in reference to the Administration’s reversal of the M1 Abrams tank position. Furthermore, the division is deepening in the Department of Defense between those who are in favor of sending more military aid to Ukraine and those who maintain a more cautious approach, such as the secretary, Lloyd Austin.
“Each stage of the war requires certain weapons. The accumulation of Russian reserves in the occupied territories requires specifics from Ukraine and its partners. So: 1) There is already a coalition for tanks (logistics, training, supply). 2) There are already talks on longer-range missiles and the supply of attack aircraft,” Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter.
The British government clarifies its position: London does not intend to send fighter planes to Ukraine, because it believes it is impractical to achieve, explains Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. “It is not practical at the moment to send British jets, we will continue to work closely with the Ukrainians to understand their needs and how the Allies can help them further. Given the complexity of British fighters and the lengthy training times required to use them we do not think it is practical,” says Sunak quoted by the Guardian.
Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that any delivery of military aircraft to Ukraine will not lead to an escalation. “We have paid attention to the words of French President Macron, who, responding to a question about the possible delivery of aircraft to Ukraine, noted: ‘Nothing is prohibited in principle, provided that it is particularly useful for the Ukrainian armed forces , does not lead to an escalation of the conflict and attacks on the territory of Russia, does not weaken the defense capability of France itself,'” said Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“Is the President of France really sure that if weapons, heavy weapons and aircraft are supplied to the Kiev regime for combat operations, this will not lead to an escalation of the situation? I refuse to believe that an adult follows this logic,” says Zakharova.
