U.S. approves F-16s supply to Ukraine from Denmark, the Netherlands - media

The United States approved the transfer of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine immediately after war pilots complete the relevant training course.

This was reported by Reuters with reference to an unnamed U.S. official, according to Ukrinform.

The source told the agency Washington provided official assurances to Denmark and the Netherlands that the U.S. would expedite the approval of all necessary third-party requests for the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine once the pilots have been trained.

Denmark and the Netherlands, which lead a coalition to train Ukrainian war pilots, recently asked the U.S. to provide such assurances.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent letters to his counterparts in the two countries assuring them the requests would be approved, the official said.

“I am writing to express the United States’ full support for both the transfer of F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine and for the training of Ukrainian pilots by qualified F-16 instructors,” Blinken said in the letters.

He emphasized that it remains critically important for Ukraine to be able to defend itself against Russian aggression and violation of its sovereignty.

Blinken expressed his belief that approving third-party requests would allow Ukraine to "take full advantage of its new capabilities as soon as the first set of pilots complete their training."

As reported, U.S. President Joe Biden approved training programs for Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s in May, but the terms of delivery of the aircraft are yet to be announced.

Photo: U.S. Air Force