US considers possibility of providing Ukraine with fighter jets, Kirby says

"The Department of Defense is conducting a preliminary study of this possibility regarding the potential provision of fighter jets to Ukrainians," John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said during a telephone briefing on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

At the same time, according to him, this decision is not expected to be adopted in the near future, since the integration of aircraft equipped with modern systems is a difficult task and takes time. Among them, Kirby clarified, it is about proper training of pilots, personnel, as well as providing maintenance and repair opportunities.

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"So, the Department of Defense will continue to study this issue, but we will also continue to send weapons and equipment to Ukraine within security assistance packages," Kirby noted.

Last week, Yuriy Ihnat, Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the Ukrainian authorities were in talks with Western partners on receiving aircraft and training Ukrainian pilots.