Policy

Netherlands, Denmark agree to send Ukraine F-16s

by Olafimihan Oshin - 08/20/23 6:48 PM ET

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, a pilot, left, and Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte pose in front of a F-16 fighter jet in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The leaders met at a military air base in the southern Dutch city, a day after Zelenskyy visited Sweden on his first foreign trip since attending a NATO summit in Lithuania last month. On Friday, the Netherlands and Denmark said that the United States had given its approval for the countries to deliver F-16s to Ukraine. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

European countries Denmark and the Netherlands have both agreed to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as the sovereign country’s war with neighboring Russia continues to rage on.

In a statement Sunday, the Danish Foreign Ministry said that both countries have agreed to donate their planes to Ukraine. It said that the planes have been in demand and that the fighter jets will be a crucial necessity for the country to defend its airspace against Russia.

The Foreign Ministry noted that it will work with other countries to join the coalition and contribute to Ukraine’s war.

“It makes me proud that Denmark, together with the Netherlands, will donate F16 fighter jets to Ukraine’s fight for freedom against Russia and their senseless aggression. Denmark’s support for Ukraine is unwavering, and with the donation of F16 aircraft, Denmark is now leading the way,” Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said in a statement.

In a separate statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the matter, saying that Ukrainian pilots and engineers have already begun 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,” Zelensky said in a Telegram post. “Today we also discussed the possibility of expanding training missions, the algorithm is clear. Our F-16 coalition proves its effectiveness.”

The news comes days after the U.S. approved the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine from the Netherlands and Denmark. Ukrainian officials have long asked for the advanced warplane since the beginning of its war with Russia, which began in February 2022.