President Joe Biden said Sunday that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured him personally that he won’t use F-16 fighter jets to attack Russian territory.
“I have a flat assurance from Zelenskyy that they will not, they will not use it to go on and move into Russian geographic territory,” Biden said at a press conference in Hiroshima, Japan.
Biden told G-7 leaders Friday the U.S. would assist with training Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter aircraft, including American-made F-16s, in a possible signal that Washington is closer to arming Ukraine with the aircraft. Zelenskyy met with Biden and other world leaders in Japan on Sunday. Ukraine is expected to mount a counteroffensive this spring against Russian troops.
“The expectation and hope is that they will be successful,” Biden said, though declining to elaborate on details discussed with Zelenskyy about the counteroffensive.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked its Western allies to supply it with modern jets to fight back against Russia. Many have been reluctant to do so for fear of the risk of being drawn into the war and because they fear it could spill over into NATO territory. Biden said it is “highly unlikely” the F-16s will be used as part of Ukraine’s upcoming counteroffensive but will be used later if the war continues.
Confusion as Ukraine’s Zelenskyy appears to confirm loss of Bakhmut
Zelenskyy also walked back comments Sunday that appeared to confirm earlier Russian claims that its forces captured the city of Bakhmut following months of bloody and intense fighting.
“I think not,” Ukraine’s leader said after being asked by a reporter whether Ukraine still controlled the eastern city that has been under siege for eight months. Zelenskyy made the comments while speaking alongside Biden during an appearance on the final day of the Group of Seven summit.
However, Zelenskyy’s office later denied that Russia captured the city. It said his comments were a reference to the complete destruction of Bakhmut. It is so far the longest and likely the bloodiest battle of the war. An estimated 20,000-30,000 Russian troops have died fighting there and Ukraine has also suffered heavy losses.
Biden, during a press conference later Sunday, seemed unsure about the status of Bakhmut but said the toll on Russia has been damaging regardless.
– Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY
Latest from G-7 summit:Confusion as Ukraine’s Zelenskyy appears to confirm loss of Bakhmut
G-7 summit ends with Ukraine in focus as Zelenskyy meets world leaders
Zelenskyy huddled with some of his biggest backers as the Group of Seven summit closed Sunday, building momentum for his country’s war effort.
The Ukrainian leader’s in-person appearance in his trademark olive drab underscored the centrality of the war for the G-7 bloc of rich democracies. It also stole much of the limelight from other priorities, including security challenges in Asia and outreach to the developing world, that the leaders focused on at the three-day gathering.
Hosting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the group was committed to “strong backing for Ukraine from every possible dimension.”
Contributing: The Associated Press