Western international locations “nonetheless keep on with the escalation situation” that might result in an enlargement of the Ukrainian conflict in Europe, says the deputy overseas minister.
In response to a Russian official, Western international locations face a “colossal danger” if they provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.
Russian Deputy Overseas Minister Alexander Grushko on Saturday answered a query concerning the penalties of offering planes that Ukraine requested from NATO international locations, the TASS information company reported.
Ukraine has but to be dedicated to delivering the plane, however US President Joe Biden advised G7 leaders on Friday that Washington helps joint allied F-16 pilot coaching packages for Ukrainian pilots, senior US officers mentioned.
We see that Western international locations are nonetheless sticking to the escalation situation. That is related to colossal dangers for them,” Grushko mentioned.
“In any case, this will probably be taken under consideration in all our plans, and we’ve got all the mandatory means to attain our objectives.”
Alexander Votravers, editor-in-chief of the Swiss Army Evaluation, mentioned that regardless of Russia’s warnings, Moscow was unlikely to escalate the state of affairs.
“Each time Ukraine will get a brand new weapon system, we hear quite a lot of rhetoric, however little or no details about Russian actions,” he advised Al Jazeera from Geneva. “I believe right this moment’s rhetoric just isn’t a enough deterrent.”
Votravers added that Kyiv additionally faces essential technical points that must be addressed concerning the F-16 fighter jets.
“It’s shortly operating out of air protection missiles, and it’s essential to plug holes in Ukraine’s air protection with these plane,” he mentioned.
“Must be improved”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been calling for months for the supply of superior fighter jets to assist Ukraine’s protection in opposition to a Russian invasion.
However the Ukrainian chief has to date confronted rejection from his Western allies, who feared that offering Ukraine with fashionable offensive weapons could possibly be met with an escalation from Russian President Vladimir Putin and the unfold of conflict in Europe.
Zelensky on Saturday thanked British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the G7 summit in Japan for his
Help within the formation of a coalition for the availability of Western fighters.
Must be improved [Ukraine’s] air protection capabilities, together with the coaching of our pilots,” Zelensky wrote on his official Telegram channel.
