Stoltenberg says training of Ukrainians on F-16s started. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman says "process is dragged out"

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the start of training for Ukrainian pilots in Brussels.

He noted that several NATO allies have decided to conduct training for fighter pilots, which will contribute to the potential provision of 4th-generation fighter jets in the future. The NATO Secretary General commended Denmark for its leadership in facilitating these agreements and for offering training opportunities to Ukrainian pilots.

"It's too early to say (when the decisions will be made - ed.). But the fact that training has started provides us with the option to also decide to deliver planes and then the pilots will be ready to fly them," Stoltenberg said.

During a briefing on the results of Ramstein, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin said that Western countries are moving forward vigorously with training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, but the US still needs to approve the pilot training system and take other measures.

"We continue to work with Denmark and the Netherlands, but of course it will take some time. But we are moving forward on this issue vigorously and other partners are involved," Austin said.

Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said that Ukrainian pilots have not yet begun training on F-16s.

"To be honest, I don't know what (Stoltenberg - ed.) meant. Perhaps something was lost in translation. Because there are statements from different leaders and they are taken out of context. We have repeatedly said that this process is not easy and it is quite dragged out," said Ihnat.

The Air Force spokesman emphasized that the Ukrainian command wants pilots to prepare, undergo training, and return to action as soon as possible. However, at present, the readiness status is the only progress achieved in this matter.

"Everyone just wants it so badly, so they are constantly updating information that the pilots are allegedly 'about to leave and will come back soon.’ Let's wait for them to leave soon," Ihnat said.

• 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 fighter jets in the fall of 2023.

• On May 25, at a meeting in the Ramstein format, Austin announced that the coalition to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces on F-16s would be led by Denmark and the Netherlands and would include 4 other countries: Norway, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. 

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