Russia: US approves F-16 fighter jets as "trains without brakes" for aid to Ukraine
After the United States approved Denmark and the Netherlands to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov criticized the US decision as "reminiscent of a train traveling at full speed without brakes.".
On September 30, 2017, an F-16 fighter jet participated in a flight show at Huntington Beach in Orange County, California, USA. Shen Jizhong
The Russian Embassy in the United States posted Antonov's comments on the social media platform "Telegram", stating that the US measures have triggered the above association, and the US has "pushed itself into a dead end" and is making "increasingly crazy decisions" to get out of the predicament.
Antonov also said that billions of dollars in military aid from the United States have exploded in conflict areas, and ordinary Americans are increasingly unpopular about military aid to Ukraine.
On the 18th, several US government officials and State Department spokespersons confirmed to the media that the US has officially approved Denmark and the Netherlands to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and they will be handed over to Ukraine as soon as the first batch of Ukrainian pilots complete relevant training. However, US officials did not disclose a specific timetable for providing fighter jets.
Multiple media reports indicate that the Ukrainian Air Force mainly uses Russian made fighter jets, and the Ukrainian government has been calling on Western countries to provide other advanced fighter jets such as American made aircraft since the beginning of this year. The US was originally cautious about whether to provide F-16 fighter jets, but US President Joseph Biden expressed support for allies to provide F-16 fighter jets and driver training to Ukraine in May.
Currently, Denmark and the Netherlands jointly lead an alliance of 11 countries to provide training for Ukraine on F-16 fighter jets, including training for pilots and related personnel. According to media reports, the first batch of Ukrainian pilots began training this month and are expected to complete the training in early 2024.
![Russia: US approves F-16 fighter jets as "trains without brakes" for aid to Ukraine](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/f97cb0a5ee1341e42399bf715b0d4ec5.jpg)
Regarding the latest decision by the United States, Ukrainian Defense Minister Aleksi Leznikov responded that this is good news from "our friends in the United States.". In July this year, Mikhail Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian Presidential Office, told media reporters that Ukraine needs 60 to 80 F-16 fighter jets to "block the sky," especially in areas close to the front line.
Dutch Defense Minister Kaysa Olungren also said on social media on the 19th that she welcomes the US decision. But she later said, "Everything takes time.".
On the 19th, Agence France Presse and other media analyzed that Ukraine's counterattack in June had limited results, and even if it received American made fighter jets, the Ukrainian military was unlikely to make progress in the war soon.
Regarding the possibility that the United States may agree to a third country reselling or transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov previously warned that the presence of F-16 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons in Ukraine would be seen by Russia as a nuclear threat from the West.
Lavrov said in an interview with International Affairs magazine on the 19th that the United States "has no intention of ending this conflict", and its goal is to make Russia "strategic failure" and weaken Russia as much as possible in military, economic, and political aspects.
"It's best for our opponents to realize as soon as possible that there will be no result in confrontation with Russia," he said. "We should turn to more civilized, political, and diplomatic means to ensure a balance of interests."