U.S. Will Support F-16 Training for Ukraine The decision comes amid pressure from some European allies to allow Ukraine to obtain the advanced fighter jets, and as President Zelensky is expected to attend a G7 meeting in Japan.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine landed in Japan on Saturday to meet with leaders of the world’s wealthiest democracies, bolstered by a major shift from President Biden that opens a path for Ukraine to get the American-made F-16 fighter jets he has been pleading for.
A red carpet had been rolled out on the tarmac of an airport in Hiroshima, Japan, where live footage on the public broadcaster, NHK, showed Mr. Zelensky stepping off a French plane wearing an olive green-colored hooded jacket. He was immediately whisked away in a black sedan.
President Biden told U.S. allies on Friday that he would allow Ukrainian pilots to be trained on American-made F-16 fighter jets, moving toward letting other countries give the planes to Ukraine — a major upgrade of the Ukrainian military and a sharp reversal.