Dutch defense minister: No restrictions on Ukraine's use of our F-16s

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren has said there are no restrictions on Ukraine's use of F-16s that the Netherlands intends to donate to Ukraine

She said this in an interview with Politico, Ukrinform reports.

“Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren has reassured Kyiv that the 24 F-16 fighter jets that the Netherlands intends to donate to Ukraine may be used to strike targets inside Russia,” the report says.

Ollongren said the Netherlands would not impose a limitation on Ukraine’s use of the jets, as was the case with Belgium.

According to her, as long as Ukraine complies with Article 51 of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, military equipment supplied by the Netherlands can be used to achieve military goals.

“We are applying the same principle that we have applied to every other delivery of capabilities, which is once we hand it over to Ukraine, it’s theirs to use. We only ask them to comply to international law and the right to self-defense as stated in the U.N. Charter, which means they use it to target the military goals they need to target in their self-defense,” Ollongren said.

As reported by Ukrinform, after receiving F-16 fighter jets from Belgium, Ukraine will not be able to use them against targets inside Russia.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that his country opposes Ukraine using Belgian weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, to hit targets inside Russia.

Photo: norad.mil