The UK has said it is up to the White House ultimately to decide on whether to send F-16 jets to Ukraine. Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, made the comments after talks with Boris Pistorius, his German counterpart, in Berlin, adding that Washington has to decide “whether it wants to release that technology”.
Mr Pistorius said that “it depends on the White House... to decide whether the F-16 fighter planes can be delivered” given that any movement of the US-made aircraft would require American approval. About 25 nations use the multirole jets.
It shows that there is still work to do to make the “international coalition” of jets that the UK and the Netherlands have said they want to build a reality. Ukraine has said that modern jets from the West are vital to protect the nation from Russian rocket attacks and to reclaim territory taken by Russia in a longexpected counteroffensive. In an address to the more than 40 nations of the Council of Europe yesterday, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Of course, there is still much to be done. We need additional air defence systems and missiles. We also need modern fighter jets, without which no air defence system will be perfect. And I am sure we will get there.”
This was all part of the web of diplomatic efforts yesterday around the invasion of Ukraine. Turkey announced an extension of the deal allowing Ukraine to export millions of tonnes of grain through the Black Sea a day before it expired.
This story is from the May 18, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 18, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England cruise past France to seal another Grand Slam
The Women’s Six Nations revolution will have to wait for another year as England’s reign of terror goes on. For six years now the Red Roses have ruled this competition with an iron fist and jewel-studded crown, and the most dominant rugby team on the planet were garlanded again in the glory of a magisterial Bordeaux performance.
Why the shameless derby is a lose-lose clash for neutrals
Manchester City have made themselves hard to like amid allegations of financial wrongdoing, writes Peter Hall, but Nottingham Forest have taken negative PR to another level
United self-destruct again as Burnley win late penalty
Erik ten Hag objects when his Manchester United are described as a disgrace or an embarrassment, so there may be a need for a more measured turn of phrase. But this was an indictment: of a club, a team and a manager. United showcased their self-destructive streak again, suggesting no lead is safe when they possess it, and dropped two points.
Klopp farewell turning sour as Reds drop more points
Jurgen Klopp’s long Liverpool farewell is in danger of turning sour after a touchline row with Mohamed Salah during a 2-2 draw at West Ham, which hammered another dent into their fading title hopes.
Champions Barcelona ooze class as Hayes says goodbye
Barcelona win 2-1 on aggregate
WWE and Khan...the ideal tag team to conquer London
Professional wrestling and politics may seem like strange bedfellows, but that isn’t really the case. There’s a surprisingly rich history of the two crossing over, probably due to their shared tendency to blur reality and fiction, their reliance on larger-than-life personalities, and the fact that most people can’t help but complain no matter who wins.
Weinstein admitted to hospital after jail transfer
Harvey Weinstein, the former movie mogul and convicted sex offender, has been admitted to hospital in New York City, according to his lawyer. Arthur Aidala, an appellate lawyer for Weinstein, said yesterday that Weinstein was moved to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after he was transported to the city jails from a prison in upstate New York.
Iraqi social media star shot dead outside her own home
A popular Iraqi social media star has been shot dead outside her home in Baghdad, officials said.
Thousands rally in Madrid to support prime minister
Thousands of supporters and party members of Spain’s Socialist Party rallied outside the party’s national headquarters in Madrid yesterday to show their support for prime minister Pedro Sanchez and urged him not to step down.
British troops could be sent to Gaza to help deliver aid
The government is considering whether to send troops to Gaza to help deliver aid via a new sea route.
