Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov told CBC that after receiving modern tanks from the West, Ukraine is now hoping to get military aircraft that can tip the balance of the war.

Reznikov said his “Santa wish list” included “fighter jets, planes and probably missiles to hit Russian fuel depots, ammunition depots and their commanders.”

The West still refuses to supply Ukraine with military aircraft. However, Reznikov noted that other military equipment and weapons, which were initially refused, were later sent to Ukraine.

“For me, everything that is impossible today (will be) possible tomorrow,” Reznikov said, referring to the supply of fighter jets. On January 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked allies to send long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Yuriy Ignat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, said the country aims to purchase 24 fighter jets from its Western allies as part of the first such military package. Ignat said the support package should include two fighter squadrons of 12 fighters each.

Ignat noted that American-made F-16 fighters could be the best option for the Ukrainian Air Force. So far, the US has refused to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets or to allow their transfer to third countries.

The Air Force of Ukraine is also considering the French Rafale and Swedish Gripen fighters. The Dutch government has said it will consider providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, while for Germany sending fighter jets to Ukraine is “out of the question”.