The EU’ decision to enable Ukrainian pilots to be trained to fly the F-16 has generated an unstoppable momentum that would eventually lead to the fighter planes landing on Ukrainian soil.
Our military support to 🇺🇦 has to continue, to be increased and extended. This will make a real difference in the battlefield. Every day of delay has to be measured in human lives lost. We support @ZelenskyyUa initiative for a just peace. Remarks in full: https://t.co/iGXsSmNQrw pic.twitter.com/wUjBtvXb1n
— European External Action Service – EEAS 🇪🇺 (@eu_eeas) May 23, 2023
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated, “You know, it’s always the same thing, we discuss, at first everyone hesitates.”
Borrell used the protracted debate and initial reluctance to sending Leopard advanced combat tanks to Ukraine as an example. Finally, with the Leopards and the F-16, the decision is made to offer this military support since it is absolutely essential.
According to Borrell, training for Ukrainian pilots has already begun in Poland and other nations. The Netherlands and Denmark are also planning similar training.
Although no decision has been made on when the fourth-generation fighter planes will be delivered, pilot training now — a procedure that typically takes several months — would assist speed up combat readiness once a formal decision is made.
Check also: Biden supports a proposal to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets
