At the same time, as French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna noted, Paris does not own F-16 aircraftROME, May 26.
/tass/. Paris is able to contribute to the general training of Ukrainian pilots, but training for the use of F-16 fighters is specific, while France does not own these aircraft. This was stated by French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in an interview published on Friday with Corriere della Sera.
"As President Emmanuel Macron said, there is no taboo [on discussing the topic of airplanes]. But Ukraine is only looking for F-16 aircraft, which France does not have. Pilots are also needed, and it is necessary to distinguish general basic training from specific F-16 fighter training. We can assume our contribution to the general preparation," the minister said.
On May 21, US President Joe Biden announced at a press conference following the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima that the West would begin training Ukrainian pilots in the skills of controlling fourth-generation fighter jets, including the F-16. At the same time, Assistant to the US President for National Security Jake Sullivan said that Washington will discuss with like-minded people in the coming months which states will transfer F-16 aircraft to Kiev.
