Russia-Ukraine War: Netherlands to soon deliver F-16 fighters to Zelensky: Dutch PM

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has confirmed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the Netherlands will deliver F-16 fighters to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meeting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Sunday. Photo Courtesy: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte Twitter page





Zelensky visited The Netherlands on Sunday.



He met with Rutte at Eindhoven airbase, where they held a joint press conference.



It is unclear how many F-16 fighter jets will go to Ukraine.

In May the Netherlands announced that it would train Ukrainian military personnel for the deployment of F-16 aircraft. Today we can announce that the Netherlands and Denmark commit to transfer those F-16s to Ukraine as soon as the necessary conditions have been met. We are… pic.twitter.com/2XeBlCFJR9 — Mark Rutte (@MinPres) August 20, 2023

Mark Rutte wrote on X: "In May the Netherlands announced that it would train Ukrainian military personnel for the deployment of F-16 aircraft. Today we can announce that the Netherlands and Denmark commit to transfer those F-16s to Ukraine as soon as the necessary conditions have been met. We are working in close cooperation with the US and our other international partners."



"This is a next step in our support for Ukraine. A long-term step, which sends a clear signal: that we will continue supporting Ukraine. With whatever it takes, for as long as it takes: military support, humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts," he said.



"Many thanks to President @ZelenskyyUa for visiting the Netherlands today. It was good to speak in person with him and foreign minister @DmytroKuleba at Eindhoven Air Base, together with foreign minister @WBHoekstra, @DefensieMin Kajsa Ollongren and foreign trade and development minister @LSchreinemacher," he said.



Zelensky said the F-16s will instil fresh confidence and motivation in both warriors and ordinary citizens.



"F-16s will instill fresh confidence and motivation in both warriors and ordinary citizens. They will produce fresh results for Ukraine and the rest of Europe," Zelensky tweeted.



Zelensky later stated on the social media platform X that he expects the support of 42 Dutch F-16 fighter jets.

F-16s will instill fresh confidence and motivation in both warriors and ordinary citizens. They will produce fresh results for Ukraine and the rest of Europe.



I thank you once again, dear @MinPres Mark, @Statsmin Mette, your teams, and the peoples of the Netherlands and Denmark. pic.twitter.com/ffSdtMHkfI — Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 20, 2023

The Ukrainian leader said: "I thank you once again, dear @MinPres Mark, @Statsmin Mette, your teams, and the peoples of the Netherlands and Denmark."