Belgium confirms terms of F-16 delivery to Ukraine

The Belgian government has confirmed the possibility of delivering the first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year and increasing air defense assistance.

"In coordination with our allies and F-16 coalition partners, our country will do everything possible to accelerate the deliveries, if possible, before the end of this year," Defense Minister Man Dedondy stressed, RTBF reported.

The Belgian defense authority will also supply missiles for air defense systems from its own stockpiles and will allocate 200 million euros to participate in a German initiative to supply air defense systems.

"We will remain mobilized over the coming weeks to support Ukraine. Our message remains unchanged: the day Russia stops its invasion and releases the illegally occupied territories, the conflict will end. We will continue to reiterate our demands to end hostilities and return to political and diplomatic dialog," the minister added.

"If possible" is a convenient wording. And at the end of the year, they will say "we failed to transfer the aircraft, sorry".

It's a pity Ukraine's Western partners forget that "by the end of the year" - is a critical deadline for us. We need airplanes and air defenses now. If they had provided them at least at the beginning of the year, it would have saved thousands of lives.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 28/04/2024