Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence that the West would provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets to repel Russian attacks on Sunday, while his American counterpart stressed Kiev’s commitment that the jets would not be used on Russian soil.

After meeting with Mr. Biden in Hiroshima, as part of the concluded meeting of the seven most developed economies of the West (G7), the Ukrainian leader expressed confidence that Kiev will receive its valuable aircraft from the West in order to be able to cope with Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which will soon be completed. 15 months.

For his part, Mr. Biden stressed that he had received “clear assurances” from his Ukrainian counterpart that he had no intention of using the aircraft against Russian territory.

“However,” the US president added from Japan, “the F-16 “can be used wherever Russian military forces are located on Ukrainian territory and in the region,” potentially leaving room for places outside of Ukraine, such as international waters.”

The US initially refused to send military aircraft to Ukraine, but in recent weeks it has changed its stance, allowing Western countries to send F-16s to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.

Source: Reuters.