Biden says “no” to the US sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

President Joe Biden said he would not ship on Monday F-16 fighters to Ukraine to help its war against Russian invaders, but said he would visit key ally Poland.

“No,” he said when asked by reporters at the White House if he was in favor of sending the jets, which Ukraine’s leaders say are at the top of their latest arms wish list.

#BREAKDOWN Biden says “no” to the US sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine pic.twitter.com/32Y8S1HUSU

— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 30, 2023

Western countries this month, after serious disagreements, finally agreed to send Ukraine modern tanks of the NATO standardone of the most powerful weapons in their regular armies.

The increased level of support has given Kiev hope that it will soon begin receiving F-16 fighter jets to bolster its own depleted air force, but the issue remains a matter of debate in the West.

On the first anniversary of Invasion of Russia on February 24 approaches, expectations are growing that Biden may travel to Europe in support of the alliance that supports Ukraine. Poland is at the center of the effort as a logistics hub, arms supplier and key US ally in Eastern Europe.

“I am going to go to Poland. However, I don’t know when,” he told reporters when asked about the visit.