Even before the noise of an important decision has died down Berlin and Washington In order to equip Ukraine with heavy tanks, consultations have already begun in several Western capitals on the next big step: equipping Kyiv with the modern fighter jets Ukraine is pushing for. Zelensky’s government.

According to the main report in yesterday’s paper Financial TimesAmerican military industry Lockheed Martin is preparing to increase production of F-16 aircraft through discounts on orders intended for Ukraine in the coming months. There are two scenarios circulating about this. The first of these wants Ukraine’s strong allies to overcome their initial hesitation and directly supply Kyiv with the fighters in question.

Alternatively, the possibility is being discussed that some of Ukraine’s allies, such as Poland and the Baltic states, will transfer Soviet MiG-29 aircraft from their fleet to Kyiv and replace them with F-16s that they will buy themselves. According to the British newspaper, the relevant discussions at the level of defense ministers are still “in the early stages.”

In any case, countries that decide to do so must obtain permission from Washington. So far, the Biden administration has taken a negative view of Kyiv’s request, fearing the possibility of an uncontrolled escalation of the war if the Ukrainians strike targets inside Russia with American aircraft.

A new wave of Russian bombing of Ukrainian cities, a day after Washington and Berlin decided to bring tanks into Kyiv.

According to another report by the French Le Monde, the possibility of supplying Kyiv with Western fighters is likely to be discussed at a new meeting of Ukraine’s allies, which will again be held in Ramstein, Germany, around mid-February. “It’s hard to imagine a Ukrainian victory without a modern air force,” Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Meznik wrote, adding: “That’s why we urgently need Western fighters like F-16s, F-35s or even Eurofighters and Tornadoes.

A few hours after the statements of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden about sending Leopard and Abrams tanks to Ukraine, respectively, Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that “the key issue now is the speed and volume” of the deliveries they started. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that the first batch of German tanks (14) will most likely be in Ukraine in March, and the delivery of 31 American Abrams is expected no earlier than autumn. The Ukrainians hope to be able to use Western tanks in a major counter-offensive they plan to launch in the spring.

The day after the decision on the Leopard and Abrams, the Russians unleashed a new wave of rush-hour bombing of several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, with drones and cruise missiles. The Ukrainians claimed to have shot down 47 of 55 Russian missiles, but reported significant damage to the power grid and the deaths of at least 11 people.

Russian bombing delayed the arrival of French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonne in Odessa. Originally from neighboring Moldova, the head of French diplomacy visited the city the day after UNESCO decided to declare it a “World Cultural Heritage in Danger”. During her visit, she discussed with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba Ukraine’s needs for humanitarian and military assistance.