EU welcomes decision on training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft, countries ready to host them

(Patria) - The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy said that the green light from the United States to allow Ukrainian pilots to train on F-16 aircraft has created momentum that will inevitably bring fighter jets to the Ukrainian battlefield, AP reported.

"You know, it's always the same thing: we talk, at first everyone hesitates," said Josep Borrell, citing the long debate and initial opposition to sending advanced Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine. "And in the end - with Leopards, with F-16s in the end - the decision is made to provide this military support because it is absolutely necessary," he said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that the decision on training was the necessary impetus to make aircraft available to Ukraine.

"Clearly announcing that training will begin is an important step that will allow us to deliver fighter jets at some point," says Stoltenberg. He also said it proved that the West would not back down from Russia, adding that such a decision "sends a very clear signal that we are here for the long haul and that Russia cannot stop us."

Borrell added that the training of Ukrainian pilots has begun in Poland and some other countries, although Polish Minister of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak said that such training is still in the planning phase. The Netherlands and Denmark, among others, are also making plans for such training.

No decision has yet been made on the actual delivery of fourth-generation fighter jets, but pilot training now, a process that takes several months, will help accelerate combat readiness once an official decision is made.

"We can proceed and also finalize the plans we are making with Denmark and other allies to start these trainings. And of course, that's the first step you have to take," said Dutch Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren.

"We will continue to talk with our allies and countries that might have F-16s available in that next step. But that is not on the table at the moment," Ollongren said.