There is still no visual evidence of F-16s in Ukrainian skies. If they are already stationed at one or more Ukrainian bases, they are carefully disguised because Russia is constantly bombing the airfields most likely to receive these fighters.
This was stated by the correspondent of the French publication Le Monde, Emmanuel Grinspan. According to him, Western fighters will help the Ukrainian forces, but there is hardly anyone who thinks that only with the F-16 Ukraine will be able to completely turn the war in its favor.
The journalist also commented on Kiev's desire to negotiate with Russia. Volodymyr Zelensky probably wanted to demonstrate to the West, as well as to the countries of the Global South, that he remains open to negotiations. It's more of a pose at this stage than a concrete proposal. The fact that the Russians were not invited to the first peace conference (in Switzerland) was poorly received by diplomatic powers such as China and Saudi Arabia, he said.
„Moscow is also in a declarative "peaceful" position, but with demands tantamount to Ukrainian capitulation. Vladimir Putin thinks time is on his side. He believes that the united Western front will fall apart and is counting on a victory for Donald Trump in November, which could lead to an ultimatum to Kiev: an immediate ceasefire, territorial concessions or a halt to arms supplies. The positions of both sides are currently maximalist and the agreement seems far away, the journalist pointed out.
Le Monde also writes that the losses in manpower are 1:3 to the detriment of the Russian aggressor. At the same time, Ukrainian soldiers comment that Russia's army should not be underestimated because it has learned very well from its mistakes since 2022 and is correcting them.