Zelenskyy on the F-16 agreement: A serious, powerful proposal

Several states of the so-called fighter jet coalition have submitted specific proposals to Ukraine to send F-16s, but they must be jointly approved by the United States as the manufacturing country.

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with Ukrainian journalists on Tuesday, according to a Yevropeiska Pravda correspondent.

The head of state said that the issue of fighter jets was discussed at the summit of the European Political Community in Moldova on June 1, where the leaders of the member states of the "fighter jet coalition" met.

"I had one closed meeting with several countries that have confirmed that they will give us F-16s. To do this, we need a joint agreement with the United States. I can't talk about it in detail... I have already received an understanding from some of our European partners about the number. It is powerful," he said.

Zelensky said that during the meeting he received a "serious, powerful proposal."

"Therefore, it is important that this coalition (of fighter jets - ed.), again, be an agreement on paper, perhaps on the Ramstein or some other platform. God willing, we will push it through to the fighters. And then the preparation of the entire infrastructure will begin, but it will not happen quickly. There is an understanding of what to do," the president added.

In May, the United Kingdom announced the launch of an international coalition of countries aimed at training Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighters, including the F-16.

Author - Olena Madiak, 06/06/2023