The West, this time, the temperature difference between ‘fighter aid’… Biden “No”, Macron “Nothing is impossible”

As soon as the West brings negotiations to support main battle tanks to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, different voices are emerging about the support of fighter jets this time. Cracks appear to be appearing again in the Western response to Russia, which has managed to settle the differences between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies over tank support.

When asked by reporters on the 30th (local time) whether he would agree to support F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine, US President Joe Biden nailed “No”.

Earlier, Germany also made it clear that it was not discussing fighter support. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an interview with the German daily Tagesspiegel the day before, “If we start another debate (with fighter jet support) as soon as we decide to support tanks, it will shake the public’s faith in the decision in the national level.” (Supporting fighters) is not a point of discussion,” he drew a line.

The two leaders’ comments came after Ukraine said it was discussing with its Western allies a plan to support long-range missiles and fighter jets. On the 28th, Ukrainian presidential aide Mikhail Podolyak announced that he was participating in talks with allies to discuss the two-armed support, and on the same day, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Inat said, “Our goal is to receive 24 fighter jets from the West.” He said he prioritized the US F-16. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also pointedly mentioned the American ATACMS long-range missile, which has a range of 297 km, saying, “We need long-range missiles.”

Long-range missiles and warplanes capable of hitting the Russian mainland are among the most ‘taboo’ on the West’s arms support list.

However, airflow changes are also found among Western countries. French President Emmanuel Macron said on the 30th that he “does not rule it out” when asked about jet support. However, he presented a series of conditions, such as ▲ Ukraine must ask first ▲ must not escalate tension ▲ must be used for defense rather than an attack on Russian territory ▲ must be within the limit of not weakening French military capabilities.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also said in a joint press conference after the summit with President Macron that day, “There is no taboo, but (if the support of fighters is decided) it will be a big step forward.” Recently, among Dutch politicians, there was a proposal to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who has been promoting active weapons support along the border with Ukraine, did not rule out the possibility of F-16 assistance.

Ukraine, which has managed to secure the main tank, which was ‘taboo’ through diplomatic pressure, digs into this temperature difference and presses the West for stronger weapons support every day. President Zelensky held a press conference in Odessa, a city in southern Ukraine, on the 30th and said, “Russia seems to be seeking massive revenge. I believe it has already started,” he said, conveying the urgent frontline situation.

Russia, which has continued to criticize Western tank support on a daily basis, argued that negotiations to end the war had become impossible. “There is no point in talking to Ukrainian nationalists or their manipulators,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Russian news agency Ryanovosti that day.