Biden: US and partners will train Ukrainian pilots on 4th-generation fighters, including F-16

According to information on the White House website, President Biden made this statement during his speech at the graduation ceremony of the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

"Just a few weeks ago, I was with President Zelenskyy in Hiroshima at the G7. I told him that we’d work with our partners to begin training Ukrainian pilots in Europe on fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including the F-16, so Ukraine can defend itself today and in the future," the US leader said.

Biden expressed his admiration for the Ukrainian people and added that the US will continue to support the country.

"The Ukrainian people’s iron resolve to live in freedom will never be broken. They are incredible: average women and men fighting, giving their lives for their country and their families. And the American people’s support for Ukraine will not waver. We’ve always stand up for democracies — always," the US President emphasized.

Information available regarding the training of Ukrainians on F-16s

On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory.

Ukraine hopes to receive the first modern American F-16 fighter jets in the fall of 2023.

According to the Pentagon, the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine is expected to take several months.

During the Ramstein meeting, it was announced that the coalition responsible for training the Ukrainian Armed Forces on F-16s would be led by Denmark and the Netherlands, and will include four other countries.

On May 29, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the country was ready to support Ukraine as long as necessary, including by strengthening its air defense and training F-16 pilots.