Several countries have agreed to train Ukrainian pilots on the F-16

29 April, 2023 F-16 simulator. Photo credits: CAE USA Ukraine has received a signal from some countries about their readiness to start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, announced this. "There is progress. We have clear signals from some countries that they are ready to start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets," the Minister said.

According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the F-16 fighter is a perfect aircraft due to its technical characteristics, although Kyiv avoids neglecting other aircraft. Kuleba added that the last word regarding F-16 was with the United States, because they were American fighter jets. In addition, the Minister said that yesterday he discussed with his counterparts what necessary steps had to be taken and what arguments had to be found in order for Washington to give the green light to the project. The day before, one of the publications reported that members of the US Democratic Party insisted on the transfer of F-16 fighter jets and long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine and demanded that President Joe Biden approved the relevant decision.

"Members of congress from both parties have called on Biden to supply Ukraine with long-range rocket artillery, called ATACMS, and modern F-16 fighter jets," the American publication The Hill said. The U.S. administration has so far refused, saying that the United States can't spare any ATACMS systems and that jets aren't a priority for Ukraine. However, Washington's promise to provide Ukraine with M1 Abrams main battle tanks, after months of opposition from the White House, has given cause for optimism.

An F-16 fighter jet operating from Spangdahlem Air Base.

2017 year. Photo from open sources

For now, a group of lawmakers believes that F-16s and long-range missiles are the logical next step.

The equipment could be of key importance in the defense as well as the counteroffensive of the Ukrainians, members of Congress say. Among them, the publication points out, are the names of Biden's fellow party members, such as Jason Crow, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jared Golden, Mark Kelly and others. Meanwhile, some U.S. military leaders agree with this position.

Official Kyiv continues to insist on the need to start the process of transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

In this connection, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, called on the United States to allow other countries to transfer American fighter jets to Ukraine.