New statements regarding F-16s for Ukraine expected for next week - White House
F-16 fighter jet (photo: Getty Images)
The US has made significant progress in preparing Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighters. Expect new announcements on this matter in the coming week, according to a senior US administration official.
"The US has been training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 platform for over a year, and we have made significant progress," noted a representative of the US administration.
Regarding statements about F-16s for Ukraine at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington next week, the official indicated that there would be additional announcements on this matter next week.
Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy intrigued by a statement that the US has taken another step to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that there could be news regarding bolstering Ukraine's air defense ahead of the NATO summit.
On July 2d, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands issued a license to export 24 F-16 aircraft and seven engines to Ukraine. The first aircraft will be delivered soon.
