A representative of the US Defense Ministry announced the strengthening of Ukrainian military aviation
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that Ukraine has strengthened its military potential in the sky thanks to foreign deliveries of aircraft. He added that the United States will do everything possible to satisfy Kiev's military requests.
Aircraft and ammunition
"Without going into details of what other countries are supplying specifically, (the armed forces) Ukraine received additional aircraft and parts for aircraft, which allowed them to lift more ships into the air," Kirby said, speaking at a briefing.
At the same time, he did not say which specific countries supplied Ukraine with aircraft, but noted that it was not about the United States.
"We, of course, facilitated the shipment of additional spare parts, which helped in terms of their aviation needs. But we did not send whole planes," Kirby said, explaining that the United States did not supply Kiev with aircraft because they seek to avoid the risk of becoming a party to the armed conflict in Ukraine.
According to a Pentagon spokesman, Ukraine has more "operational combat aircraft than two weeks ago." He also added that in this case we are talking about Russian-made aircraft.
In addition, Kirby said that the United States does not exclude that Ukraine may request additional weapons in the future.
"Of course, it is possible that Ukrainians will need additional artillery systems and artillery shells. We will maintain contacts with them in this regard and will do everything possible to satisfy their requests," he stressed.
A Pentagon spokesman said that American howitzers will be delivered to Ukraine in the coming days.
"As for howitzers, I think very soon you will see that they will be transferred. To date, I have nothing to say about the delivery, but I think you will see that they will be delivered very soon, as well as ammunition for them.… it's a matter of a few days, and the same goes for ammunition," Kirby said.
According to him, "if in the future there is a need for additional shells for 155-millimeter howitzers, the United States will be in the forefront, doing everything possible to deliver them."
Help on planes
On the eve of the Pentagon reported that seven aircraft with military assistance to Ukraine will depart in the near future from the United States.
"In the next 24 hours, we expect more than half of a dozen, probably close to seven flights from the United States to the region," RIA Novosti quoted a senior Pentagon official as saying.
And White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that four planes with military aid were sent from the United States over the weekend, another one arrived on Monday.
On April 13, US President Joe Biden notified Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that Washington was allocating a new $800 million military aid package to Ukraine, which would include artillery, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.
The Pentagon then explained that 200 M113 armored personnel carriers, 18 howitzers of NATO caliber 155 millimeters and 40 thousand shells for them were transferred to the Ukrainian forces. In addition, the $800 million aid package included 11 Russian- or Soviet-made Mi-17 helicopters, 300 Switchblade barrage ammunition, 100 armored jeeps, 500 Javelin missiles and "thousands" of other anti-tank systems.
"I don't know"
After British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrel, as well as the leaders of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland visited Ukraine and met with Zelensky, the media are waiting for an announcement about which of the US dignitaries will visit Kiev.
On April 14, before boarding the presidential plane in Maryland, Biden traditionally spoke briefly with journalists. He told them that he was ready to go to Ukraine. But the night before, he said that he did not know if he would visit Kiev.
Following the results of the event in New Hampshire, one of the journalists asked the American leader if he agreed to fly to Kiev.
"The answer is: I don't know," Biden said.
He later clarified that "I have already been to Ukraine many times, I just haven't been there recently."
The American leader also reiterated that he does not intend to send US troops to Ukraine. This was told on Monday by Jen Psaki.
"The president and his administration still have no plans to send military personnel to wage war with Russia, he does not believe that it would meet the interests of international security or Americans," the White House spokeswoman said.
Maria Shustrova
