US Congress appeals to Biden for approval of F-16s deliveries to Ukraine
F-16 (GettyImages)
A bipartisan group consisting of 14 members of the US Congress has submitted a formal request to the Biden administration, calling for the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to be permitted, as The New York Times reports.
“As we have seen with the initial hesitancy by allies to provide tanks to Ukraine, US leadership is crucial for providing Kyiv with additional resources and new capabilities,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the White House.
The legislators believe it is imperative that Ukraine receives the F-16 fighter jets to help bring an effective end to the ongoing war, ensuring it concludes under fair conditions.
According to reports, there are several European nations ready to offer Ukraine F-16 fighters. However, US regulations have so far prohibited Ukrainian pilots from undergoing training on these aircraft.
On May 16, it was announced that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte have agreed to collaborate in creating a coalition in order to transfer F-16s to Ukraine. This initiative came into light as the UK decided against sending Typhoon fighters to Ukraine, following a preference for F-16 fighters expressed by the Ukrainian military.
