The Ukrainian leader did not specify the promised amount
MOSCOW, June 6. /tass/. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that he has an understanding of how many F-16 fighters European countries will deliver to Kiev, but did not specify the promised number.
"Our last very important meeting was in Moldova, where I had one closed meeting with a number of countries that confirmed that they would definitely give us the F-16," Zelensky said at a press conference in Kiev. "I have already received an understanding of the quantity from some European partners. It is powerful," the President of Ukraine added.
Zelensky clarified that currently there is no infrastructure in Ukraine necessary for the operation of American F-16 fighters. According to him, the preparation of such infrastructure will begin after an agreement on the supply of fighters is concluded. "There is no infrastructure, it will be built and prepared. There is no point in preparing it until there is an agreement that we will have the appropriate aircraft," he said. "However, this is also not fast," Zelensky added about the preparation of infrastructure.
On May 21, US President Joe Biden announced at a press conference following the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima that the West would begin training Ukrainian pilots in the skills of controlling fourth-generation fighters, including the F-16. At the same time, Assistant to the US President for National Security Jake Sullivan said that Washington will discuss with like-minded people in the coming months which states will transfer F-16 aircraft to Kiev.
Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin indicated on May 25 that Denmark and the Netherlands would lead a European coalition to train Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighters. Earlier, Zelensky stated that the issue of F-16 supplies was discussed on June 1 on the sidelines of the summit of the European Political Community in Moldova. Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yuriy Sak noted that Kiev expects to receive from Western countries from 40 to 50 F-16 fighters.
