USA, no decision for now to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16

The White House has yet to give official permission to train Ukrainian military pilots on US F-16 fighter jets, Politico reported. According to the article, some 12 European countries that have promised to train Ukrainian pilots are still awaiting formal approval from the United States, without which they cannot start training the Ukrainian armed forces. The newspaper reminds that the training should begin in August in Denmark, with the intention of establishing a regional training center in Romania. However, the process cannot begin until the US State Department gives official permission to transfer instructions, simulators and other necessary equipment, the article notes. Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn told Politico that while US President Joe Biden has promised the "green light" to the training program, the official request is still "pending". According to the newspaper, there is no reason to believe that Washington will ultimately not give its consent.