The US has refused to provide F-16 fighter jets despite continuous demands from the Ukrainian president.
According to the British news agency Reuters, when a journalist asked US President Biden in the White House on Monday whether or not to give warships to Ukraine, he gave a short answer and simply said “no”.
On Friday, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister said that after last week’s delivery of tanks, Ukraine is seeking to acquire fourth-generation aircraft from Western countries, including F-16s.
Yuri Sik told Reuters at the time that “now the biggest obstacle (against Russia) will be these ships.”
This reaction of US President Joe Biden came shortly after the statement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he said that Russia will retaliate against Ukrainian resistance with continuous attacks in the eastern part.
President Zelensky had been warning for weeks that Moscow would step up attacks in the south and east.
The supply of tanks to Ukraine had been deadlocked for several days and last week it was reported that Germany and the US had agreed to supply the tanks, followed by a formal announcement.
On the other hand, Russian forces have claimed to occupy more areas in the latest attacks.
Although there were no clear reports of Russian attacks on Monday, Denis Pushilin, an administrative official in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine, said Russian troops had entered the coal-mining town of Vohleder.
Denis Pushelin also said that the army continues to advance in the areas of Bakhmut, Merinka and Wohleder. The Russian news agency Tass has also given reports regarding the advance of the troops.
Oleh Zhdanov, a Ukrainian military analyst, says Ukraine still maintains control over Merinka and Vohleder.
Ukrainian authorities have also claimed to have thwarted Russian attacks in some areas.
Officials say Russian troops have been pushed back in Bakhmut and Wohlider, but Reuters could not independently confirm this.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that “Russia seems to want to take a big revenge against the Ukrainian resistance and has already started.”
On Monday, Russian forces continued to bombard residential areas of Bakhmut, including using tanks, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army J Army said.
Keep in mind that Russia attacked the neighboring country of Ukraine on February 24 last year. Since then there has been continuous fighting.
Ukraine has the support of Western countries, including the United States and Britain, and imposed sanctions on Russia on their behalf.