Reznikov, Macron to discuss F-16 deliveries to Ukraine in Paris - media

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Paris on Tuesday to discuss the provision of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

That's according to The Guardian, Ukrinform reports.

"Ukraine's defense minister is expected in Paris on Tuesday to meet President Emmanuel Macron amid a debate among Kyiv's allies over whether to provide fighter jets for its war against Russia, after U.S. President Joe Biden ruled out giving F-16s," the article reads.

The supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine could be a subject of negotiations during the meeting.

In the past few days, several European and American officials have admitted the possibility of providing fighter jets to Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron does not rule it out either. "Nothing is excluded in principle," he said after talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, when asked about the possibility of supplying fighter jets to Ukraine.

In remarks carried on French television before Biden spoke in Washington, Macron stressed any such move would depend on several factors, including the need to avoid escalation and assurances that the aircraft would not "touch Russian soil." He said Reznikov would also meet his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu in Paris on Tuesday.

At the same time, Germany refrains from supplying Ukraine with aircraft. Biden has so far also denied such a possibility.

France is considering Ukraine's request for fighter-jet pilot training, according to an aide to French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.