US Is Considering Giving Ukraine America-Made Fighter Jets
While the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters the sixth month, the United States government is exploring options to offer fighter jets to Ukraine, a White House spokesman told reporters on Friday 22nd July.
White House spokesman John Kirby told the reporters that, while the Biden administration is looking for the ability to provide fighter jets to Ukraine, it would not be done immediately.
Kirby said,
“It’s not something that would be executed in the near-term,”
The US has already provided Ukraine with $8.2 billion of security aid to Ukraine. If the fighter jet supply is going to happen it would be significant support for Ukraine in its battle against Russia. Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles “CQ” Brown said last week that the US and allies of Ukraine are starting to look for opportunities to train Ukrainian pilots.
The White House spokesman Kirby also disclosed the most recent aid of $100 million for drones to Ukraine forces. The total arms package value was $270 million. According to Kirby, this package will allow Kiev to acquire 580 privately held AEVEX Aerospace LLC’s Phoenix Ghost unmanned aerial vehicles.
US will provide Ukraine with 580 Phoenix Ghost attack drones — The White House#loiteringmunition #kamikazedrone #suicidedrone #loiteringmissile https://t.co/VgmQMRebEX
— Missiles&rockets C-UAS Air Defense Loitering (@TimZitter) July 22, 2022
According to another White House memo, the package included $175 million for other defense aid. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that It would include more high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) and other weapons that Ukrainians are using on the battlefield.
In a recent interview with Wall Street Journal, Ukrainian president Zelenskyy said that it will only prolong the war if they ceasefire with Russia without reclaiming the lost territories.
