President Joe Biden said he is ruling out Ukraine’s request for F-16 fighter jets at this time, despite increased pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
(Bloomberg) — President Joe Biden said he is ruling out Ukraine’s request for F-16 fighter jets at this time, despite increased pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“He doesn’t need F-16s now,” Biden said interview with ABC News that aired Friday. “I am ruling it out for now.”
The US has resisted sending Ukraine F-16 warplanes over concerns their delivery could further escalate the war, which is entering its second year.
Biden highlighted other advanced weapons systems the US is providing to Zelenskiy’s forces.
“Look, we’re sending him what our seasoned military thinks he needs now. He needs tanks, he needs artillery, he needs air defense, including another HIMAR,” Biden said, using the acronym for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.
Earlier Friday, the US announced sanctions and export controls on more than 250 individuals and entities that it said were tied to Russia’s energy, defense, and financial services sectors or who were aiding Moscow in subverting existing penalties.
Biden and other leaders of the Group of Seven also said they planned to keep ratcheting up financial pressure going forward, with the US saying particular focus will be paid to “dual use” products that can be repurposed by Russia for military use.
Read more: Biden’s $300 Billion Sanctions Shock Is Failing to Stop Russia
The US also announced its plans to deliver more than $2 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine, focused on both defense systems and aid for government services like electricity and heating.
Biden and Zelenskiy met earlier this week in Kyiv, part of a surprise trip by the US president.
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