Netherlands, Denmark to provide Ukraine with 61 F-16 fighter jets

He shared the information on his Telegram channel.

Fighter jets from the Netherlands

Yesterday, President Zelenskyy arrived in the Netherlands to discuss with Prime Minister Mark Rutte the supply of F-16 fighter jets, which the president said was a "breakthrough agreement."

He emphasized that the fighter jets would definitely be in Ukrainian skies, as specifics were discussed.

"F-16. A breakthrough agreement. As of today, we have specifics. They will be in the Ukrainian sky. Thank you, Netherlands! Thank you, Mark! Thank you to everyone who helps!" the statement reads.

The Ukrainian leader said that after training Ukrainian pilots and engineers, the Netherlands would provide 42 fighter jets to the country. He also emphasized that this is "just the beginning".

"We are taking another step to strengthen the air shield of Ukraine. F-16. Aircrafts that we will use to keep Russian terrorists away from Ukrainian cities and villages. Mark Rutte and I have agreed on the number of F-16s that will be provided to Ukraine - after training of our pilots and engineers. 42 aircraft. And this is just the beginning," the president wrote.

For his part, Prime Minister Rutte noted that Ukrainian specialists are presently engaged in language training, with military training set to commence in the future, followed by their relocation to Romania. This transfer is planned to be executed swiftly to facilitate the delivery of the aircraft to Ukraine. Additionally, preparations for the necessary infrastructure to ensure safe takeoffs and landings in Ukraine are also underway. The completion of authorization processes is also part of the procedure, as stated by the Dutch prime minister.

Earlier, Zelenskyy announced his arrival in the Netherlands with Olena Zelenska and the team.

"Together with the First Lady and the team, we arrived in the Netherlands. As always, we will have substantive talks with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The main issue is F-16 for Ukraine to protect our people from Russian terror. We are getting stronger," Zelenskyy said.

In addition, according to him, the Global Peace Summit, the Peace Formula and bringing the terrorist state of Russia to justice will be on the agenda during the talks.

Aircraft from Denmark

Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, also said yesterday that the country would supply 19 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but that certain conditions must be met.

The Ukrainian president said that the negotiations with Mette Frederiksen were "specific, substantive, powerful.” The President also noted that Ukrainian pilots and engineers are already undergoing training in Denmark. 

"Our pilots and engineers have already started training in Denmark. 19 F-16 jets will be provided to Ukraine by Denmark. We are working on the speed of training. Today we also discussed the possibility of expanding training missions, the algorithm is clear. Our F-16 coalition proves its effectiveness," Zelenskyy said.

Earlier, the Danish Ministry of Defense has already announced the country's intention to provide Ukraine with fighter jets, but Ukraine must fulfill a number of conditions.

"It makes me proud that Denmark, together with the Netherlands, will donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine’s fight for freedom against Russia and its senseless aggression. Denmark’s support for Ukraine is unwavering, and with the donation of F-16 aircraft, Denmark is now leading the way," said Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the creation of a joint coalition for F16 training is also coordinated with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets.

"Donation of aircraft will be vital for efforts related to ensuring Ukraine a fully functional F-16 capability. We agree to transfer F-16 aircraft to Ukraine and the Ukrainian Air Force in close cooperation with the US and other partners, when the conditions for such a transfer are met," the statement said.

In particular, the conditions include successfully selected, tested and trained Ukrainian personnel, necessary permits, infrastructure, and logistics.

F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine

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

• Defense Ministry adviser Yuriy Sak said that Ukraine hopes to receive the first modern American F-16 fighters in the fall of 2023.

• On May 25, at a meeting in the Ramstein format, it was announced that the coalition to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces with F-16s would be led by Denmark and the Netherlands and would include four other countries: Norway, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. 

• On June 14, one of the leaders of the "aviation coalition," the Netherlands, announced that training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s would begin in the coming months.

• On June 15, following the Ramstein meeting, Stoltenberg said that training on the F-16 had already begun. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin noted the rapid progress in this area, and a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force said that they wanted a quick result, but that "the process is delayed."

• On June 22, Denmark requested assistance from the United States to train Ukrainian pilots in the use of F-16 fighters.

• On July 1, President Zelenskyy mentioned that the schedule for training Ukrainian pilots on Western F-16 fighter jets has not been finalized yet, and some foreign partners are causing delays.

• Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the first F-16 fighter jets are likely to fly in Ukraine's skies by the end of March 2024.

• On Sunday, July 16, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US would not postpone training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, and Biden allowed European countries to start training.

• On August 11, it was reported that the first group of Ukrainian pilots would complete training on F-16 fighter jets no earlier than next summer. The start of combat training will be preceded by 4-month language courses.

• Subsequently, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi met with the Chief of Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces in Ukraine. Among the topics discussed was pilot training on F-16 fighter jets.

• And Romanian President Klaus Iohannis confirmed that the country will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s: a regional training center will be opened there.

• Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat announced on August 17 that Ukraine won't be able to get F-16 fighters from Western allies during the upcoming fall or winter. Therefore, the focus will be on bolstering air defense capabilities. Concurrently, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed optimism about the prospect of providing F-16s to Ukraine, while Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hinted at forthcoming positive news.

• Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov thanked the partners from the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands, who are ready to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets after the training of Ukrainian pilots is completed.

• On August 20 Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to the Netherlands to discuss the supply of F-16 fighter jets with Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte: according to the president, a "breakthrough agreement" was reached. Netherlands will send 42 F-16 fighters to Ukraine