The US stated it will allow its Western allies to supply Ukraine with advanced fighter jets, including American-made F-16s, in a major boost for Kyiv. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden "informed his G7 counterparts" of the decision at the bloc's summit in Japan. US troops will also train Kyiv's pilots to use the jets, Mr Sullivan said. Ukraine has long sought advanced jets and President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the move as a "historic decision".

Legally, countries can only resell or re-export American military hardware if the US approves it, so this decision clears the way for other nations to send their existing stocks of F-16s to Ukraine. However, no government has so far confirmed it will give advanced fighter jets to Kyiv. The US and allies had so far "focussed on providing Ukraine with the systems weapon and training it needs to conduct offensive operations this spring and summer", Mr Sullivan told reporters in Hiroshima.

"Now we have turned to discussions about improving the Ukrainian air force as part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine's self-defence. "As the training unfolds in the coming months, we will work with our allies to determine when planes will be delivered, who will be delivering them, and how many." Ukraine has repeatedly lobbied its Western allies to provide jets to help in its fight against Russia.

Ahead of Saturday's official announcement, President Zelensky said the jets would "greatly enhance our army in the sky". He said he looked forward to "discussing the practical implementation" of the plan at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, where he arrived on Saturday. The US had been sceptical about providing Ukraine with modern fighter jets - at least in the near term. Its focus has instead been on providing military support on land.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP