Former Pentagon chief urges fighter jet supplies to Ukraine

Former US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has called for an urgent transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine to facilitate a counterattack.

"We should approve giving them [Ukraine] aircraft, it would give them an advantage. If they are going to engage in a combined arms battle, we need to have not only direct fire but also air fire," RBC-Ukraine quotes him as saying.

Esper also expressed strong support for providing Ukraine with long-range, high-precision missiles.

"We have to send them ATACMS [surface-to-surface missile], because that's how the Ukrainians could get deep into eastern Ukraine, deep into Crimea, to destroy the ‘Shahed’ [Iranian drones] launch sites, take out missile launch sites, smash logistics depots, barracks, whatever. You have to have precision weapons at long ranges," Esper explained.

Furthermore, he opposed statements that strengthening military assistance to Ukraine would escalate the situation.

"We cannot let the Russians influence our decisions, rattle weapons, and restrain themselves. Instead of reacting to the threat of a Russian offensive, I would rather see the Ukrainians go on the offensive now while the Russians are still trying to train, equip and organise their military," Esper added.