Stoltenberg: More than 10 NATO Allies join F-16 coalition for Ukraine

More than 10 NATO Allies have already joined the coalition to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft and plan to start training by the end of this summer.

"Yesterday, a group of Allies established a coalition to provide training for F-16 fighter pilots from Ukraine. This is initiative originally initiated by the Netherlands and Denmark, I welcome that several Allies have joined in. Some preparations are taking place and training will start as soon as possible. What Allies informed also is that training will actually start this summer. The last time I saw the list of [countries], there were ten or, perhaps, a little bit more Allies which are now part of this coalition. They are eager to start as soon as possible, and, of course, this will then enable a later decision also to provide F-16s," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

According to him, all agreements, guarantees, documents, and meetings are certainly important, but the most important and urgent task now is to provide Ukraine and its Armed Forces with enough weapons to ensure victory in the war against Russian aggression.

"It was extremely important that after this meeting we have seen new announcements from NATO Allies. France has decided to deliver long-range cruise missiles. Germany announced yesterday a new big package, including more air defense systems and more armored vehicles. The United States announced a big new package of ammunition for weapons, and many other Allies also made new announcements," Stoltenberg noted.

He emphasized that the most urgent task is to ensure that Ukraine prevails.

"So the message is that we stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes, and the urgent need is to provide the weapons they need," NATO Secretary General added.

As reported, the second day of the NATO Summit is underway in Vilnius, the main topics of which are strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defense system and continued assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The first ever meeting of the newly created NATO-Ukraine Council has already begun with the participation of President Zelensky and the leaders of 31 Allies, as well as Sweden.

Photo: Flickr/NATO