According to the spokesperson for the US National Security Council at the White House, John Kirby, it is likely that Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets from Western partners by the end of this year. However, they are unlikely to have a significant impact on the situation on the battlefield. Source: FOX News.
“The F-16s will be delivered to Ukraine, most likely closer to the end of the year. However, in our assessment, the F-16s alone will not be able to bring about significant changes. What they really need most is artillery. That’s why the US President made a difficult decision to provide cluster munitions. They fire in the thousands”, as Kirby pointed out.
The White House representative emphasized that Ukraine primarily needs more artillery systems, ammunition, air defense systems, and armored vehicles, including tanks and BMPs.
“We have provided an incredible amount of assistance in all of these areas, and, to be honest, at an unprecedented pace. These are the four areas they need. “If you look at the aid packages, like the one we announced yesterday—and there will be another one soon—you will see that we are really trying to provide them with these capabilities,” emphasized Kirby.
He also added that the supply of aircraft will be effective only in combination with other weaponry needed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
What do we know about the prospects of military aid to Ukraine from the US?
According to the spokesperson of the US Department of Defense, Sabrina Singh, the US will increase the number of military aid packages to Ukraine.
“We will continue to provide more packages as we progress further,” noted the Pentagon representative.
According to her, the United States is committed to further providing Ukraine with additional packages of security and defense assistance.
“Our focus is on Ukraine, on what we can do to help Ukraine in this struggle right now and how we can continue to support it in the long term,” explained Singh.