Biden’s shift on F-16s for Ukraine came after months of internal debate
Associated Press
23-05-23 00:14
The US administration’s decision to allow allies to train Ukrainian forces to operate F-16 fighter jets, and eventually to provide the aircraft themselves, followed months of internal debate and quiet talks with allies and does not represent an abrupt change in policy. The US administration was concerned that a move to provide F-16s to Ukraine could US-Russian tensions and that the training would be difficult and time-consuming. However, a shift in US policy became apparent after Biden’s visit to Ukraine and Poland and following discussions between senior White House National Security Council, Pentagon and State Department officials. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin heard from allied defense leaders during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group seeking US permission to train the Ukrainians on F-16s and raised the matter during the NSC policy discussions leading to agreement that it was time to start training. State, Pentagon, and NSC officials are now developing a training plan and “when, where, and how to deliver F-16s” to Ukraine as part of the long-term security effort, US officials said.