The Netherlands will not introduce restrictions, as was the case with Belgium, Ollongren noted.
"There are no ‘Belgian-type’ restrictions,” she said.
“We apply the same principle that we used for every other supply of forces and means, namely: as soon as we hand them over to Ukraine, they can use them in the way they consider necessary."
Ukraine’s Defense Forces can strike only Russian military targets, she added.
"We are only asking to follow international law and the right to self-defense, as stated in the UN Charter, which means that Ukraine will use fighter jets to hit military targets that they need for self-defense."
Read also:
F-16 fighters for Ukraine
The Netherlands and Denmark promised in August 2023 to jointly provide Ukraine with 61 American F-16 fighter jets. This was preceded by a transfer authorization from the United States.
Norway has also confirmed its intention to supply F-16s. Belgium will also provide Ukraine with F-16s, but in 2025.
The Netherlands announced its decision to begin preparations for the transfer of the first 18 aircraft to Ukraine in December, and later increased this number to 24. The country has promised Kyiv 42 fighter jets in total.
The tentative timeline for the fighter jets’ delivery to Ukraine was the first half of 2024.
The first 10 Ukrainian pilots completed basic flight, ground, and language training on F-16 fighters in the UK, its government announced on March 22. The pilots will now move on to advanced flight training provided by the French Air Force.
The first F-16 multi-purpose fighter with trained Ukrainian pilots will arrive in Ukraine by the summer of 2024, Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo said on April 18.
The Netherlands plans to start F-16 fighter jets transfer to Ukraine in fall, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said on May 6.
Read also: Danish Ambassador confident: Bright future ahead with Ukraine’s F-16 deal
Denmark's Ambassador to Ukraine, Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, made a more optimistic forecast and said that the planes will arrive this summer.
The first Western F-16 fighter jets will arrive in Ukraine within a few weeks, The Standard reported on May 10, citing a high-ranking military source.
The F-16 fighter jets, set to be transferred to Ukraine starting in 2024, are restricted to use within Ukrainian territory, Belgium's Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, said on May 28.
Belgium will send 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028, Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said, adding that the first jets will be delivered "by the end of the year."
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Section: Nation
Author: Дарина Халперина
