Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
President Joe Biden announced on Sunday a joint training initiative with partner nations aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s self-defense capabilities during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima, Japan. The training program, valued at over $37 billion, will focus on providing advanced training to Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including the F-16.
Highlighting the significance of the investment, President Biden emphasized the critical role of well-trained pilots and advanced fighter jets in safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty. The training efforts will equip Ukrainian pilots with the necessary skills to operate the sophisticated F-16 aircraft effectively.
However, as tensions escalate, former President Donald Trump, who is currently leading in the GOP poll, has expressed concerns on multiple occasions, including during a recent CNN Town Hall, about the risks posed by the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump emphasizes the need for swift action to prevent further bloodshed and the drain of American dollars to Eastern Europe.
He echoes the sentiments of others, highlighting that while Americans face economic challenges and the impact of drug smuggling across the southern border, the war only serves to benefit the military-industrial complex without guaranteeing victory on the battlefield.
Trump warns of the potential for widespread devastation, including hundreds of thousands of casualties, ruined cities and towns, and the looming threat of a catastrophic global conflict, even mentioning the possibility of “World War Three.” In his view, negotiation and pragmatism are the only viable paths forward.
By collaborating with partner nations and committing substantial financial resources, President Biden aims to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and ensure that its pilots are well-prepared to confront the challenges posed by Russia’s aggressive actions. The advanced training program, backed by substantial funding, demonstrates the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense and deterring further aggression.
President Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude for the joint training initiative and underscored the importance of the substantial financial support provided by the United States. He emphasized that the investment would significantly enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, particularly in terms of the country’s air force. President Zelenskyy praised President Biden’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s military capacity and expressed confidence that the well-funded F-16 training program would greatly strengthen Ukraine’s air force.
U.S. officials say the bilateral meeting between President Biden and President Zelenskyy at the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima, Japan exemplifies the close cooperation and shared commitment between the United States and Ukraine in addressing the ongoing crisis, and that the significant financial investment in the training of Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft underscores both nations’ dedication to ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
According to them, the substantial funding committed by the United States to support the joint training program on advanced fighter jets represents a major milestone in Ukraine’s defense capabilities, adding that it highlights the United States’ steadfast commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s ability to protect itself from external threats.