At a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grateful for the countries' confirmation of sending F-16 aircraft.
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| According to the President of Ukraine, so far three countries, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, have confirmed sending F-16 fighter jets to Kiev. (Source: Getty Images) |
According to Mr. Zelensky, so far three countries, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, have confirmed sending F-16 fighter jets to Kiev and providing pilot training and logistics support.
At a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on August 24, President Zelensky affirmed: “We are very grateful that the three countries have confirmed that they will send F-16 aircraft. I would also like to thank the Norwegian government for its historic and important decision to transfer aircraft to Ukraine.”
Earlier, speaking during a visit to Kiev the same day, the Norwegian Prime Minister announced his readiness to transfer F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, including two for training purposes. However, the specific number has not been announced.
"We will provide Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and will provide further information about the support, the specific number and timing of the delivery, at the appropriate time," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.
Washington has also formally assured Denmark and the Netherlands that the US will promptly approve all third-party requests for F-16 deliveries to Ukraine so that the country will receive F-16s once pilots are trained.
Denmark and the Netherlands, the two countries leading the coalition training F-16 pilots for Ukraine, recently asked for these guarantees.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has written to his Danish and Dutch counterparts to assure them that these requests will be approved.
Ukraine has been actively seeking US-made F-16 fighter jets to help it counter Russian military air superiority, while Russia has repeatedly warned against the West transferring fighter jets to Ukraine.
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