Ukraine war
Denmark and the Netherlands want to deliver F-16 fighter jets
Volodymyr Selenskyj (2nd from right) and Mark Rutte (middle) walk past an F-16 fighter jet. photo
© Peter Dejong/AP/dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long been demanding F-16 fighter jets for his country to ward off the Russian war of aggression. Now the first firm commitments are coming.
Denmark and the Netherlands will Ukraine to deliver F-16 fighter jets. This was announced by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the Ministry of Defense in Copenhagen. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of a breakthrough.
Selenskyj had just arrived in the Netherlands for a visit. He therefore expects 42 jets to be delivered to the country after the training of Ukrainian pilots, as he said after talks with Rutte on the Telegram news channel. He also posted a selfie of himself with a big smile and Rutte in front of a fighter jet.
When exactly the aircraft should be delivered was initially unclear. The Danish Defense Ministry’s statement said it would agree to the transfer of the F-16 aircraft in close cooperation with the US and other partners, provided the conditions for such a transfer were met. This includes the successful selection and training of Ukrainian F-16 personnel as well as the necessary authorizations, infrastructure and logistics.
Washington clears the way
Zelenskyy has long advocated that his country receive modern western fighter jets in order to be able to effectively repel the Russian war of aggression. So far, however, the delivery of F-16s to the USA, where the aircraft were developed, had failed. However, Washington recently cleared the way for deliveries from third countries.
“Today will be concrete. You will be in the Ukrainian sky. Thank you Netherlands! Thank you Mark! Thank you everyone who is helping,” said Zelenskyy. Rutte and he had agreed on the delivery of the jet. “This is just the beginning,” he said.
In the Netherlands, the F-16s are becoming obsolete as they are currently being replaced by F-35s. According to a Defense Ministry spokesman, the Royal Netherlands Air Force still has 42 F-16s, 24 of which are operational.
Denmark and the Netherlands had previously declared their willingness to deliver the US-made F-16 fighter jet. A coalition led by the two countries formed within NATO in the summer to train Ukrainian pilots to use the F-16. Belgium and Norway are also considered possible suppliers of the US jets.
Zelenskyj visiting Denmark
After his visit to the Netherlands, Zelenskyj has arrived in Denmark without any prior public announcement. He will meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the royal family, party leaders and business representatives, he said on the Telegram news channel. “We continue to work to strengthen Ukraine and our people,” he wrote.