F-16s, like other western equipment, cannot be used to strike targets inside Russia
The F-16 fighter jets that the USA agreed to supply to Ukraine as part of a coalition of allies cannot be used to strike Russia, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told journalists in Japan.
“All of the capabilities that the United States has proven to Ukraine come with the basic proposition that the United States is not enabling or supporting attacks on Russian territory. That will go for the support for the provision of F-16s by any party as well.
And the Ukrainians have consistently indicated that they are prepared to follow through on that. And, in fact, we have seen them follow through on that with the provision of Western equipment when we have given it to them,” Sullivan said, commenting on a question addressing US President Joe Biden’s initial concern that F-16s could be used to help escalate Russia’s war against Ukraine into a wider conflict.
Ukraine’s top generals have argued that to really win the war, Ukraine’s long-range striking capabilities need to be equalized with Russia’s.
Former Commander of the US Army in Europe Ben Hodges has also argued that Ukraine needs the capacity to attack Russian airfields.
All the Ukrainian strikes inside Russia have hitherto been done with Ukrainian-made drones.
Ukraine needs long-range missiles to really win the war, country’s top generals say
Ukraine needs the capability to attack Russian airfields – former commander US Army Europe
Tags: F-16, fighter jet coalition, USA