F-16 supply to Ukraine will escalate conflict, Russian official says – National | 24CA News
Russia stated on Monday a call by Denmark and the Netherlands to donate the primary F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would solely escalate the battle, whereas Ukraine stated the jets would assist finish Moscow’s invasion.
Denmark and the Netherlands on Sunday introduced they’d provide F-16s to Ukraine, with the preliminary six resulting from be delivered round New Year. Washington accepted the supply of the U.S.-made jets final week.
“The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict,” Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin stated in an announcement cited by the Ritzau news company.
“By hiding behind a premise that Ukraine itself must determine the conditions for peace, Denmark seeks with its actions and words to leave Ukraine with no other choice but to continue the military confrontation with Russia,” he stated.
Kyiv stated the jet was very important to the success of its bid to drive Russian forces from its territory in a counteroffensive that has proceeded slowly since its launch in early June, as it could stop Russian fighter jets attacking advancing forces.
“Superiority in the air is key to success on the ground,” air power spokesman Yuriy Ihnat was quoted as saying by Ukrainian media.
Danish Defence Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen stated Ukraine might solely use the donated F-16s inside its personal territory.
“We donate weapons under the condition that they are used to drive the enemy out of the territory of Ukraine. And no further than that,” Ellemann-Jensen stated on Monday.
“Those are the conditions, whether it’s tanks, fighter planes or something else,” he stated.
Denmark will ship 19 jets in whole. The Netherlands has 42 F-16s accessible in all however has but to determine whether or not all of them shall be donated.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has referred to as the choice a “breakthrough agreement.”
Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov stated on Saturday that Ukrainian pilots had begun coaching, however it could take at the least six months and probably longer to additionally prepare engineers and mechanics.
(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Philippa Fletcher)
