Saturday, May 20, 2023

Russia Warns West of “Colossal Risks” When Supplying Jets to Ukraine

Russia Warns West of “Colossal Risks” When Supplying Jets to Ukraine
Stefan J. Bos



Russia has warned the West of “colossal risks” if it supplies Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. The warning came after the United States announced it would allies to deliver the military planes to Ukraine, which is preparing a counter-offensive against the ongoing Russian invasion of the country. The announcement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed Saturday at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak embraced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Group of Seven or G7 summit in Hiroshima, the Japanese city once destroyed by a U.S. nuclear bomb at the end of World War Two.


Saying “Good to see you” and “You made it,” Sunak briefly slapped the back of Zelensky, who told reporters it had been a good day for Ukraine.

He officially learned at the G7 that the United States would allow allies to give fighter jets to Ukraine, including F-16s, in a significant boost to Kyiv.

White House National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan confirmed the upcoming deliveries to reporters without providing a clear timeline amid security concerns. “As the training [of fighter pilots] 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,” he added.

In response, Russia warned that Western countries would run “colossal risks” if they supplied Ukraine with F-16. In recent days, Moscow has already hit the country with a barrage of missiles and drones. And on Saturday, the head of Russia’s Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed his forces took complete control of the devastated city of Bakhmut in the east, but Kyiv claimed fighting continued.

Zelensky arrived at the G7 following a brief trip to Saudi Arabia, where he told Arab States to realize that most people who suffer from the Russian occupation of Crimea are Muslims, referring to the Tatar community.





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