Netherlands allows Ukraine to use its planes for attacks on Russia

(Patria) - Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren stated yesterday, after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Singapore, that Kyiv can use Dutch F-16s to strike Russian territory.

Ollongren spoke with Zelensky on the sidelines of the "Shangri-la Dialogue" security conference in Singapore, reports the Ukrainian portal Freedom.

In an interview with the portal Politico, she said that the Netherlands will not impose "Belgian-style" restrictions and that when Ukraine receives the weapons, it "has the right to use them as it wishes".

- For the Netherlands, the only condition is that Ukraine's actions must be in accordance with international law and the right to self-defence, as stated in the UN Charter - stated the Dutch minister.

Previously, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated that the 30 Belgian F-16s must be used only on Ukrainian territory, as previously agreed in the bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and Belgium.

In his address to the security forum in Singapore, which brings together more than 500 delegates from about 40 countries earlier yesterday, Zelensky urged top military officials to participate in the upcoming summit in Switzerland and added that he was disappointed that some countries had not yet committed to attending.