Biden and Zelensky Discuss Cooperation in Training Ukrainian Fighter Pilots on F-16s, Commemorating 18 Months Since Russian Invasion

President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a conversation to commemorate 18 months since Russia’s invasion and to discuss the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots on F-16 aircraft. The White House confirmed that the leaders discussed the initiation of pilot training and the prompt approval for other countries to transfer their F-16s to Ukraine once the training is concluded, thereby strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Importantly, this conversation took place on the occasion of Ukrainian Independence Day.

Notably, in recent news, the United States granted approval for the transfer of F-16s from the Netherlands and Denmark to Ukraine. While it may take some time for the aircraft to be delivered and deployed in combat, Kyiv could potentially have the F-16s in operation as early as next spring or summer, after the Ukrainian pilots have completed their training on these jets. This decision from the U.S. represents a significant shift, as President Biden had previously announced that European allies would be responsible for training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s. Furthermore, during a NATO summit in July, 11 allies reached an agreement to commence pilot training in August.

During their call, President Biden expressed his admiration for the courageous people of Ukraine on behalf of the American people. He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the United States to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression and hold Russia accountable for its actions. This conversation coincided with President Biden’s earlier reassurance of continued support for Ukraine on their Independence Day.

The morning after a debate among Republican presidential candidates on the subject of providing further aid to Ukraine, President Biden released a statement emphasizing the unity of Americans against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, President Biden recently commented on the plane crash in Russia, suggesting the possible involvement of Vladimir Putin in the incident that might have resulted in the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the March of Justice movement, which aimed to dissent against Moscow’s military leadership during the summer.

In conclusion, this conversation between President Biden and President Zelensky not only highlighted their joint efforts to commemorate a significant milestone in Ukraine’s history but also underscored the commitment of the United States to support the country’s defense and confront Russian aggression. It is important to note that these developments occurred within the context of ongoing discussions on providing aid to Ukraine and potential Russian involvement in recent events.

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