Austin assesses Ukraine's prospects to get F-16 fighters this summer

He said this at the final press conference following a two-day meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, Voice of America reports.

"We are working hard to provide Ukraine with F-16 capabilities this summer. And I think, you know, I'm optimistic that this will happen," the head of the U.S. defense department said.

He also welcomed France's decision to provide Ukraine with French Mirage-2000 aircraft, stressing that each country's contribution helps Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

According to Austin, it is important for the United States to make sure that Ukraine has everything it needs "to manage two complex systems and protect those systems at the same time".

"So, great capabilities, and again, every little bit helps, we just need to make sure that we bring the support system together and make sure that, you know, that these systems are compatible in the way that they are used in Ukraine," Austin concluded.

• On June 12, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced that her country would deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine this summer, after Denmark starts supplying the fighters.