Biden comments on F-16 planes for Ukraine — RT World News

The United States will not send F-16 fighter jets to kyiv, President Joe Biden said Monday, commenting on media reports that the Pentagon was considering it. He had previously said sending tanks to Ukraine would mean World War III, before changing his mind last week.

“No,” Biden told reporters outside the White House when asked about the F-16s.

According to Politico, however, some US military officials are “quietly nudging the Pentagon to approve” send the jets to kyiv. The newspaper quoted a Defense Ministry official and “two other people involved” in discussions.

“I don’t think we are opposed” the anonymous official told the outlet, but added that no final decision has been made. Asked about the issue, the White House referred to deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, who told MSNBC last week that the United States would discuss fighter jets. “very carefully” and that Washington and its allies “have not ruled out or excluded any specific system.”

Biden answered the question while hinting at a possible trip to Poland in the near future. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said earlier today that Warsaw would supply kyiv with F-16s, but only “in full coordination” with NATO, while France refused to rule out sending some of its own planes as well.

Poland had led the charge by sending Western-made tanks to kyiv, which Biden had previously described as too provocative.

“The idea that we’re going to send offensive equipment and have planes and tanks and trains with American pilots and American crews – just understand, don’t kid yourself, whatever you say, that’s called the world war III, “ he told House Democrats gathered in Philadelphia in March 2022.

Last week, however, he announced the delivery of 31 Abrams tanks to the Kyiv government – ​​just days after Politico announced that would not happen, citing knowledgeable Pentagon sources. Reports leaked to Reuters and the Wall Street Journal – that the Abrams will be promised to pave the way for Germany to approve Leopard 2 deliveries – have proven correct.

Russia has repeatedly warned the West against supplying arms to Ukraine, arguing that this would only prolong the conflict. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said last week that the continued deliveries are further proof that Western countries are directly involved in the hostilities.