President Joe Biden endorsed the plans on Friday train Ukrainian pilots In F-16 fighter jet made in the United States during a meeting with allies at the Group of Seven summit, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Biden’s private conversations with his aides, said he has approved training to take place in Europe in the coming months during the G7 leaders’ meeting in Hiroshima . The leaders also announced new sanctions on Moscow before Sunday’s summit was joined by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Biden told leaders that when, how many, and who would provide Ukraine with fourth-generation fighter jets to use in combat would be decided during training in the coming months.
Zelensky has called for a steady supply of Western fighter jets to bolster his country’s defenses against Russia’s 15-month-old invasion, but has so far faced skepticism from the United States. Under export licensing rules, the US had to approve any Allied initiative to train Ukrainian pilots.
European allies have warmed to the idea of sending fighter jets to Ukraine in recent weeks, as have elements of Biden’s cabinet, including the secretary of state. antony blink which has become strong guard within the administration.
Zelensky will attend the G7 summit
Days before President Volodymyr Zelensky attends the Group of Seven summit on Sunday, the leaders of the world’s most powerful democracies pledged to punish Russia harshly for 15 months for its invasion of Ukraine.
“Our support for Ukraine will not waver,” the G7 leaders said in a statement released after the closed-door meeting, pledging to stand united against Russia’s illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine.
“Russia started this war and can end this war,” he said.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, confirmed on national television that Zelensky would attend the summit.
“We were sure that our president would be anywhere in the world to solve the problem of our country’s stability where Ukraine needs him,” Danilov said on Friday. “Very important issues will be decided there, so physical presence is important to protect our interests.”
