Group of senators states the conflict is now at a “critical juncture.”
A bipartisan group of eight senators sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urging the department for more information on getting F-16 fighter jets delivered to Ukraine. The senators, led by Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, said the conflict there is “now at a critical juncture.”
“After speaking with U.S., Ukrainian, and foreign leaders working to support Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference last month, we believe the U.S. needs to take a hard look at providing F-16 aircraft to Ukraine,” the senators wrote. “This would be a significant capability that could prove to be a game changer on the battlefield.”
They noted that two Ukrainian pilots recently took part in a skills assessment on an F-16 simulator at the Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona.
Efforts by the senators to convince President Biden’s administration to provide the F-16s, or facilitate other nations providing them to Ukraine, have been supported by the top NATO commander in Europe and others. But White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says there is no immediate battlefield need for the F-16s.
The head of Pentagon policy, Colin Kahl, said, “It is a priority for the Ukrainians, but it’s not one of their top three priorities. Their top priorities are air defense systems… artillery… and armor and mechanized systems.”
A bipartisan group in the House, headed by Representative Jared Golden of Maine, has also been urging President Biden’s administration to send F-16s or similar fighter aircraft to Ukraine.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the president and his advisers regarding the continued military aid provided to Ukraine.
- For members of the House and Senate as they determine what they believe the U.S. should send in support of Ukraine.
Sources: Politico, Fox News
