US Secretary of State Antony Blinken provided an update on Ukraine's efforts to reclaim territory lost during the Russian invasion. According to Blinken, Ukraine has successfully recaptured around 50% of the initially seized land. However, he acknowledged that the battle ahead remains challenging, and more work lies ahead.

In an interview with CNN, Blinken emphasized that the counteroffensive is still in its early stages and will likely take several months to unfold fully. While some progress has been made, Ukraine has not yet achieved a significant breakthrough against heavily fortified Russian positions.

Regarding Ukraine's request for US-made F-16 fighter jets, Blinken expressed confidence that the request will be fulfilled. A coalition of 11 nations is gearing up to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16s, with the training scheduled to commence in August in Denmark, and a dedicated training center will be established in Romania.

Ukraine has persistently sought the F-16s, which are manufactured by Lockheed Martin, to enhance its defense capabilities. Although the final decision on the aircraft's delivery from Washington is pending, US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan has indicated that the training and delivery process could take approximately 18 months.

In light of Russia's invasion in February 2022, the United States has been providing significant military aid to Ukraine, totaling over $41 billion to date. The support aims to bolster Ukraine's ability to defend itself and regain control of its territory.