The confirmed delivery follows earlier assurances in August regarding the supply of these planes, a move that aligns with Ukraine's requests for military assistance. Though the total number of aircraft to be provided was previously undisclosed, it's now confirmed that the Dutch military holds 18 non-operational F-16s out of a surplus, while the other 24 are operational.
Rutte emphasized the significance of this delivery, stating, "The delivery of F-16s is one of the most critical elements of the agreements made on military support for Ukraine." However, the delivery is subject to an export permit from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and compliance with specific criteria regarding personnel and infrastructure in Ukraine.
The decision underscores the Netherlands' steadfast commitment to bolstering Ukraine's response to the ongoing Russian aggression, confirming their continued support. The conversation between Rutte and Zelenskyy also addressed current military necessities, including artillery, drones, and air defense.
Moreover, the Netherlands has been instrumental in establishing a training center for F-16 fighter pilots in Romania. The center, used for instructing Ukrainian and Romanian pilots, currently houses five F-16 units from the Netherlands for a six-to-eight-month training program.
In addition, Rutte affirmed the Netherlands' dedication to facilitating Ukraine's EU accession talks, promising efforts to secure a financial support agreement of €50 billion at the February 2024 European Council meeting. This comes after Hungary's recent blockage of the EU's proposal for aid to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the Netherlands' support in opening Ukraine's EU accession discussions and highlighted the significance of securing the EU assistance soon. The conversation also touched upon ongoing efforts to consolidate international backing for Ukraine's vision of a just peace, reaffirming the commitment to further Peace Formula discussions.
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