Joe Biden refused to send F-16 fighter jet

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US President Joe Biden has ruled out sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, despite renewed calls from Ukrainian officials for air support.

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Asked by a reporter on Monday whether the US would provide the plane, Mr Biden simply replied no.

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His comments come a day after Germany's leader ruled out sending fighter jets.

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Ukraine has said it needs the jets to control its airspace in its ongoing war with Russia.

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The F-16 Fighting Falcons are widely regarded as one of the most reliable fighter jets in the world and are used by countries such as Belgium and Pakistan, among others.

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They would be a significant upgrade over the Soviet-era fighter jets that Ukraine is currently using, which were built before the country declared independence from the USSR more than 30 years ago.

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However, Mr Biden has repeatedly rejected Ukraine's pleas for the jets, instead focusing on providing military aid to other areas.

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The US announced last week that it would supply 31 Abrams tanks to Kyiv, with Britain and Germany pledging similar support.

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Ukraine's deputy foreign minister, Andrey Melnyk, welcomed that announcement but called on allies to form a "fighter jet alliance" that would also provide Ukraine with Eurofighters, Tornados, French Rafales and Swedish Gripen jets.

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Other EU countries, including the Netherlands, have not yet given a definite response on whether they will send fighter jets.

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Poland has indicated that it would be ready to supply the fighter jets in coordination with NATO.

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