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Ukraine invasion: Joe Biden rules out sending F-16 fighter jets

Ukraine has asked the allies for creation of "fighter jet coalition"

Joe Biden US President Joe Biden | Reuters

United States President Joe Biden has ruled out sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine despite repeated calls from Ukrainian officials seeking air support. Biden's response comes a day after Germany ruled out sending fighter jets to Ukraine.

While speaking to a reporter, President Biden confirmed that there are no plans to send fighter jets to Ukraine, BBC reported.

In the ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine has sought air support from US and other European Union countries to upgrade their fight and to dominate the airspace.

F-16 Fighting Falcons are one of the world's most reliable fighter jets and are used by countries including Belgium and Pakistan, reported BBC. These jets are a significant upgrade on the Soviet-era fighting jets Ukraine is currently using.

The repeated pleas of Ukraine for fighter jets was rejected by Biden.

Last week, US announced that they would supply Kyiv with 31 Abrams tanks. United Kingdom and Germany are also pledging similar support.

Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrii Melnyk welcomed the US support and has asked the allies for the creation of "fighter jet coalition", that would help them in the war against Russia. The coalition will also provide Ukraine with Eurofighters, Tornados, French Rafales and Swedish Gripen jets.

Germany's Chancellor, in an interview on Sunday, said that it "seemed frivolous" to discuss sending other military aid to Ukraine when they had just committed to sending the Leopard 2s, reported BBC.

To the Ukraine's plea for air support, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had earlier said that the Nato military alliance is not at war with Russia and they won't be sending fighter jets.

However, Moscow has accused Nato of being an aggressor for their reluctance to send military aid to Ukraine paving way for escalation in the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron had said that when it comes to providing support to Ukraine "nothing is excluded". It must neither further inflame the situation nor limit France's ability to defend itself.

Meanwhile, other EU countries including Netherlands has not yet given a definitive response to the plea of Ukraine.

However, Poland has indicated that with the support of Nato they will be providing fighter jets to Ukraine. 

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