Netherlands, Denmark commit to supplying F-16s to Ukraine, says Dutch PM during Zelensky's visit
Zelensky in Netherlands and Denmark
Netherlands and Denmark have committed to sending F-16s to Ukraine with first deliveries due around New Year, said the prime ministers during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit, on Sunday (August 20).
The visit also comes after Washington approved the transfer of F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark to Ukraine amid Kyiv’s ongoing push to boost the war-torn country’s air defences.
Ukrainian president’s arrival
A Dutch government spokesperson told AFP that Zelensky’s flight landed around midday (1000 GMT). Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president announced his and his wifeOlena’s arrival in the Netherlands, on social media and said, “Olena and I arrived in the Netherlands with the team.”
During his surprise visit, Zelensky met with outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at a Dutch military air base in Eindhoven.
The Ukrainian president on social media also said, “The main issue is F-16 for Ukraine to protect our people from Russian terror. We are getting stronger.” Speaking about the agenda, he said that it includes the Global Peace Summit and bringing Russia to justice.
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Dutch PM rubber stamps delivery of F-16s to Ukraine
“The Netherlands and Denmark commit to transfer F-16s to Ukraine once the conditions for such a transfer have been met,” said the Dutch PM. He also said that the Netherlands has a total of 42 F-16s available, but it is too early to say whether all of them will be sent to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president hailed the decision and called it “historic”.
“The third point for today is absolutely historic, powerful and inspiring for us,” said the Ukrainian president during a joint press conference with Rutte. He added, “This is another step towards strengthening Ukraine's air shield.”
Earlier, Zelenskyalso inspected F-16 fighter jets which he had hoped to receive from the Netherlands during a visit to a Dutch army base.
Ukraine’s air defence push
In recent months, the Netherlands, together with Denmark, has led international efforts to train Ukrainian pilots for F-16 fighter jets ahead of delivering the jets to help counter the Russian air superiority, amid Moscow’s ongoing war in Kyiv.
According to the Ukrainian president, the planes would help strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and help its counter-offensive.
“We are speaking about air defence, because we have the winter ahead of us and we understand more than anyone else in the world what winter without electricity is like,” said Zelensky, in the Netherlands.
Zelensky’s visit to Denmark
Hours after the meeting with the Dutch PM in the Netherlands, Zelensky landed at Skrydstrup airbase in southern Denmark, at around 1430 GMT, reported AFP.
The Ukrainian president was greeted by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Defence Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen.
Frederiksen reaffirmed support for Ukraine and said it is ready to do so “for as long as necessary.” She also said that Denmark will deliver 19 jets in total, with the first six due to be shipped to Ukraine around New Year.
This will be followed by eight in 2024 and five the following year, she added. “We know that your freedom is our freedom. We also know that you need more” weapons, said Frederiksen during a joint press conference with Zelensky.
The Danish PM said over 70 Ukrainian military officials had arrived in Denmark for training. Ukraine said that it expects several dozens of pilots to be trained but it was not immediately clear how many pilots had arrived in Denmark.
Ukrainian troops begin training
A couple of days after the United States approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands, Kyiv announced training had begun for Ukrainian pilots on operating the planes.
Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov in a TV interview informed about the training, adding that it would take at least six months or possibly longer to complete it. The training was to take place in Denmark and Romania, officials from a coalition of 11 nations had previously said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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