Biden: Zelensky promised that Ukraine will not use F-16 planes for attacks in Russia

(Patria) - US President Joe Biden says he received assurances from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he will not use F-16 fighter jets provided by the West for attacks on Russian territory.

Biden told reporters in Hiroshima, Japan, at the end of the G7 leaders' meeting that F-16 planes can be used "wherever Russian troops are located within Ukraine," Reuters reported.

He emphasized that it is "unlikely" that the planes will be used in any Ukrainian offensive in the coming weeks, but that Ukrainian troops might need such weapons to defend themselves against Russian forces beyond their current reach.

The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) said they would not abandon their support for Ukraine. Biden announced a military aid package of $375 million, including artillery and armored vehicles.

Addressing the G7 leaders during the summit, he stressed that Washington supports joint allied training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft, although Kyiv has not received concrete guarantees for the delivery of fighter jets.

Zelensky said yesterday that he is confident that Kyiv will receive F-16 planes from the West, after months of lobbying.