Denmark joins Netherlands in offering F-16 jets to Ukraine as Zelensky visits
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to both countries Sunday to finalise the delivery deals.
The Netherlands and Denmark announced on Sunday they will give F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, a long-awaited announcement that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called an important motivation for his country’s forces.
After months of entreaties from Mr Zelensky for F-16s to bolster the Ukrainian air force, the US recently gave approval for the Netherlands and Denmark to provide Ukraine the American-made jets.
Mr Zelensky travelled to both countries Sunday to finalise the delivery deals.
“F-16s will certainly give new energy, confidence, and motivation to fighters and civilians. I’m sure it will deliver new results for Ukraine and the entire Europe,″ the Ukrainian leader said.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she hoped the first Danish F-16s could be handed over to Ukraine around New Year.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte did not provide a timeframe, saying it depends on how soon Ukrainian crews and infrastructure are ready.
He and Mr Zelensky inspected two F-16s parked in a hangar at a Dutch base in the southern city of Eindhoven.
“The F-16s will not help immediately now with the war effort. It is anyway a long-term commitment from the Netherlands,” the Dutch leader said.
“We want them to be active and operational as soon as possible. … Not for the next month, that’s impossible, but hopefully soon afterward.”
A few hours later, Mr Zelensky was received by Ms Frederiksen along with the country’s foreign minister, defence minister and Crown Princess Mary at the Skrydstrup air base in southern Denmark.
Ms Frederiksen said Denmark would provide 19 F-16 jets to Ukraine. She said “hopefully” six could be delivered around New Year, eight more next year and the remaining five in 2025.
“Please take this donation as a token of Denmark’s unwavering support for your country’s fight for freedom,” the Danish prime minister said.
The Netherlands did not specify the number of jets it would provide. Mr Zelensky said on his Telegram channel that Ukraine would get 42 jets.
Mr Zelensky said the Dutch and Danish donations were a “huge push for other countries who were in doubt” about providing Ukraine with F-16s.
Asked whether there were conditions to Ukraine receiving the fighters jets, such as a commitment to not using them in Russian territory, Mr Zelensky said that had not been discussed but added that defending Ukrainian territory was the “main goal”.
The Dutch and Danish governments are also involved in a coalition that is working to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the advanced fighter jets.
Mr Zelensky declined to say how many Ukrainian pilots would undergo training in Denmark and later in Romania, citing security reasons.
Denmark said Friday that the training is starting this month, and officials have previously said that Ukrainian pilots will need six to eight months of training.
Ms Frederiksen said “more than 70” Ukrainian personnel were already in Denmark and getting ready to start training.
On Friday, the Netherlands and Denmark said the US had authorised them to deliver American-made F-16s to Ukraine.
Washington says the F-16s — like the advanced US Abrams tanks — will be crucial in the long term as Kyiv faces down Russia.
Ukraine has been relying on older aircraft, such as Russian-made MiG29 and Sukhoi jets. F-16s have newer technology and targeting capabilities. They are also more versatile, experts say.
