‘Westen takes colossal risk with F-16 deliveries’
Western countries would be at “colossal risk” if they supplied Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, reports the Russian news agency Tass.
US President Joe Biden told a G7 meeting yesterday that Washington supports joint F-16 training programs for Ukrainian fighter pilots.
United Kingdom: It appears that the Russians have sent reinforcements to Bachmoet
The British military believes Russia has sent reinforcements to Bachmut. The defense ministry says the country has “most likely sent some battalions” in the past four days. A battalion consists of hundreds to a thousand soldiers.
According to the UK, reinforcements were sent after the Ukrainian army made some progress around Bachmut. Furthermore, it would be doubtful whether the mercenaries of the Wagner group would continue to fight. Wagner’s boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said in recent days that there is heavy fighting and that it is difficult to take control of the city.
Zelensky has arrived in Japan for talks with the G7
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has arrived in Japan. Zelensky visits the meeting of the G7, a partnership of seven influential industrial countries and the European Union. He writes on Twitter that there he will have “important meetings with partners and friends of Ukraine”. It had long been rumored that he would be there, although for a while it was unclear what day he would come.
“Peace will be a step forward today,” the president tweeted shortly after landing. A few hours earlier the United States had brought news of fighter planes that he had been asking for for some time. US President Joe Biden said he will allow Ukrainians to train on the F-16. Zelensky had previously called it a “historic decision”. This brings the actual delivery of the aircraft closer to a major breakthrough.
Biden pledges $375 million in aid to Ukraine
US President Biden announced during the G7 summit this weekend that the US would deliver a $375 million (€346 million) military aid package to Ukraine. This was reported by the Politico news site on the basis of three American and one Ukrainian sources.
Biden would make the announcement after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, expected Sunday at the Hiroshima, Japan summit. The aid package will include armored cars, anti-tank weapons and artillery shells. This is material that the United States has previously supplied to Ukraine.