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Military operation in Ukraine

Biden rules out sending F-16 fighters to Ukraine for now

"There's things he needs now that we're sending him to put them in a position to be able to make gains this spring and this summer going into the fall," he said

US President Joe Biden AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

US President Joe Biden

© AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

NEW YORK, February 25. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden said that Ukraine does not currently need F-16 fighters, so for now he rules out their transfer to Kiev.

"I am ruling it out for now," he said in response to a related question in an interview with ABC television. Excerpts from the interview were aired on Friday.

Biden added that at the moment "he (Ukrainian President Vladmir Zelensky - TASS) needs tanks, artillery, air defense, including HIMARS."

"There's things he needs now that we're sending him to put them in a position to be able to make gains this spring and this summer going into the fall," he said.

When asked if this meant the US ruled out transferring F-16s to Kiev in the future, Biden said he could not predict Ukraine's defense needs over the long term.

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Ukraine United States Joseph Biden Military operation in Ukraine

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Russian Soyuz 2.1b rocket with space weather satellites installed at Vostochny launch pad

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Number of casualties in shelling attack on central Israel climbs — radio station

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Former Bolivian president goes on hunger strike

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French, German citizens detained for unlawfully entering Baikonur cosmodrome

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US, NATO plot regime change in Black Sea straits — Kremlin aide

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Russian diplomat comments on voting machine fraud in early US voting

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Google’s fines in Russia reach stratospheric levels — lawyer

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Monastery attack case, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Russian tactical aircraft and artillery hit clusters of manpower and equipment of 13 Ukrainian brigades in the Kursk Region

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Erdogan calls on Middle East, world to unite against Israeli aggression

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Lenta retailer opens first dark store

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US, South Korea decide on response to cooperation between Russia, DPRK

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Russian Lancet kamikaze drone wipes out Ukrainian artillery gun in Sumy Region

The strike’s accuracy and efficiency were confirmed by data-recording equipment in real time

Kiev's violation of agreements means less territory for Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also recalled the Istanbul agreements

Polyus produces first ton of gold from Sukhoi Log goldfield ore

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Ukraine admits number of deserted soldiers from Armed Forces of Ukraine surpasses 100,000

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Moscow-Pyongyang relations at record high — Lavrov

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First-ever TV-bridge concert held in Moscow

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Medvedev says Ukraine’s example stops Georgia from siding with West to oppose Russia

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Iranian Armed Forces warn Israel of 'unthinkable' surprise attack

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