In an interview with NHK in Hiroshima, where the G7 summit is being held, a senior White House official said he would accept F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine is seeking to launch a counteroffensive against Russia if European allies decide to donate them to Ukraine.
White House Strategic and Public Relations Coordinator Kirby, who is accompanying U.S. President Joe Biden, who is attending the G7 Hiroshima Summit, gave an interview to NHK in Hiroshima on the 19th.
In it, Kirby said of the U.S.-developed F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine is seeking as necessary for a reversal offensive against Russia, "We are aware that our allies and friends in Europe are looking for some opportunities."
"We respect all decisions," he said, adding that he would accept NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries if they decided to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Regarding F-16 fighter jets, when Ukrainian President Zelensky visits Japan and participates face-to-face in the G7 Hiroshima Summit, it is expected that he will strongly request the United States and other NATO member countries to provide them, and it was interesting to see what kind of position the United States would show.
In Europe, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have shown a positive attitude toward procurement support, but the United States has repeatedly indicated that it will not provide its own procurement.
"President Biden Conveys F-16 Training Support" US Media
In this connection, the American media Bloomberg reported on the 19th that President Biden told the leaders of various countries at the G7 Hiroshima Summit that he would support the implementation of training for Ukrainian military pilots using F16 fighter jets.
It was quoted as a senior Biden administration official saying that the training will begin in the coming weeks and will take place in Europe outside of Ukraine.
President Zelensky tweets "welcome American decision"
As the media reported that President Biden had informed G16 leaders that he would support the implementation of training for Ukrainian military pilots using F-7 fighter jets, Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote on Twitter on the 19th, "I welcome the historic decision of the United States to support the coalition of international fighter jets, which will greatly strengthen the capabilities of our forces."
He also expressed his expectation that discussions on further military assistance to Ukraine would progress, saying, "I hope that the G7 Hiroshima Summit will discuss efforts to implement this decision."