The adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, Mikhailo Podoliak, assured this Saturday that the delivery of F-16 fighter planes to Kiev by its international allies is almost a done deal in the absence of resolution of certain logistical problems.

Podoliak made the statements after United States President Joe Biden approved plans by European countries to train Ukrainian fighter pilots in fourth-generation aircraft, such as the F-16, in what is practically considered a preliminary to the shipment of these aircraft, although this aspect is not yet confirmed.

The decision is “made” pending the resolution of “logistical problems”

However, the Ukrainian adviser indicated in statements to the Ukrainian channel Channel 24 that “Western countries have already made a decision on the matter” and that now “the logistical problems are being solved”.

Podoliak insisted that Ukraine considers the delivery of these planes an essential part of its counter-offensive plans.

“To completely “close” the sky, you need an F-16. In addition, our partners understand that, given the intensity of the counter-offensive that we are planning, it is absolutely necessary to protect the troops with aircraft so that Russia does not get in the way of our objectives,” he asserted.

Russia warns of ‘colossal risks’ for the West

The Russian government warned on Saturday that the possible sending of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would pose “colossal risks” to the United States and its allies in the context of an escalation of the armed conflict.

“We see that Western countries continue to step up. This entails colossal risks for themselves,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in statements reported by Russian news agency TASS.

“In any case, this will be taken into account in all our plans and we have all the necessary means to achieve the goals we have set ourselves,” he added in statements during the 31st Assembly of the Russian Council of foreign and defense policy. .

US President Joe Biden said at the G7 summit in Japan on Friday that Washington was supporting its allies training Ukrainian pilots to use the F-16 fighters, although no concrete decision was made in this regard during the meeting. delivery of these devices.