American President Joe Biden has told to G7 leaders that America supports plans for a joint training programme for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jests fighter.
According to Reuters, this is an important development as Kiev seeks to increase its air power against Russia.
Regarding the training of Ukrainian pilots, an American official said that the training of American-made warplanes will take place in Europe and will take several months.
At least 18 months are needed for training and delivery of the aircraft, according to US officials.
The US official expressed hope that the pilots will be trained on fourth-generation fighter jets, including the F-16, in the coming weeks.
President Vladimir Zelensky welcomed the decision, saying it would strengthen his air force.
The President of Ukraine will attend the G7 meeting in Japan.
Ukraine, which has no Western-made fighter jets, has said the F-16s are superior to the former Soviet Union fighter jets.
Ukraine is still using former Soviet warplanes in its war against Russia.
Poland and Slovakia provided 27 MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine.
Western governments are reluctant to make their own countries insecure by providing too much military equipment. They are avoiding sending anything that could target Russian territory and give Moscow reason to retaliate.
This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was promised by the Prime Ministers of the UK and the Netherlands about joining the ‘Jets Alliance’ and said that fighter jets would be provided to Ukraine.