NBC, CNN, and Sky News reported that Ukrainian pilots are staying in the United States to receive evaluations on the operation of F-16 fighter jets.
CNN reported on the 5th, citing three sources, that Ukrainian pilots are being tested using simulators in the United States on how long it takes to learn piloting skills such as F-16 fighter jets.
Sky News also confirmed the same through a high-ranking official.
NBC reported on the previous day (4th), citing two officials from the US Congress and a senior administration official, that the US military is training two Ukrainian pilots in a flight simulator at Tucson, Arizona.
NBC added that the U.S. has given permission for 10 more Ukrainian pilots to participate.
It is the first known fact that the U.S. military has invited Ukrainian pilots to the U.S. mainland for training since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February last year.
■ Zelensky, constantly requesting fighters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently requested F-16 fighters from the United States and the West to secure air supremacy in preparation for a major Russian spring offensive.
However, the United States has maintained a cautious stance, saying that the F-16 is not an equipment that Ukraine needs immediately.
US President Joe Biden answered “no” to a reporter’s question in January if he was in favor of supporting F-16s to Ukraine.
However, as the war situation has recently turned urgently, a change in the tone of the US authorities has begun to be detected.
On the eastern front of Ukraine, where war of attrition has been going on for months, the city of Bahmut, the largest battleground, is surrounded on three sides by the Russian regular army and the Wagner Group, a mercenary company.
Accordingly, the need for a strategic withdrawal of Ukrainian troops is being discussed.
In this regard, some in the US political world have raised their voices that they should decide to provide F-16 fighter jets and start training immediately in order to change the charter.
■ “It’s not actually flying a plane”
U.S. administration officials told the media that Ukrainian forces participating in simulations in the U.S. do not fly real planes.
He added that the purpose of the training was to improve piloting skills and to determine how long a Ukrainian pilot would need to fly a U.S. fighter jet, including the F-16.
For an F-16, the time required for training and delivery is approximately 18 months each.
The U.S. is helping Ukraine fight back by recently announcing additional $400 million in military aid and expanding sanctions against Russia.
See also: US adds $400 million in military aid to Ukraine
US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln issued a statement on the 3rd and announced that additional weapons such as high-speed mobile artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), howitzer shells, and Bradley combat vehicle shells would be provided.
On the same day, the State Department and the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added six Russians to the sanctions list for allegedly implicating human rights abuses against opposition figures opposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
■ Allied support solidarity continues
The United States continues to solidify its support for Ukraine with its allies.
US President Biden met with German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz in Washington DC on the 3rd to discuss support for Ukraine.
See also: Biden-Schoolz talks…Agree to maintain support for Ukraine
President Biden said, “Germany has stepped up to provide important military assistance, and beyond military aid, the impact on Ukrainian morale is great.”
The United States and Germany have previously decided to support Ukraine with their flagship tanks, the Abrams M1 and Leopard 2, respectively.
See also: Germany to “Resell Unused Leopard 2 Tanks” to Neutral Switzerland
This is VOA News Jongsu Oh.