Borrell: training of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 has already begun

Ukraine will soon receive F-16 fighter jets, the training of Ukrainian pilots in their use has already begun. This was announced by the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, writes TASS.

“F-16 pilot training has already begun in several countries, it will take time, but the sooner the better, and this will open the door to deliver aircraft soon,” he said.

Borrell added that “the discussion in the EU always reaches its goal.” According to him, from a skeptical attitude towards the supply of tanks, the European Union came before the start of their supply, then “it was the same for aircraft.”

“Over time, we will solve all the problems of arms supplies to Ukraine,” the head of European diplomacy said.

At the summit of the leaders of the G7 countries, which took place on May 19-21 in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, an agreement was announced to supply fourth-generation American-made F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv.

May 20 Italian Prime Minister George Meloni stated about the impossibility of supplying F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, while the country will consider participation in the training of Ukrainian pilots. “We do not have F-16s, so we cannot participate in this project. But we are talking about the possible training of Ukrainian pilots. We have not yet made this decision and are discussing with the allies,” she said.

On May 17, it became known that the UK and the Netherlands would work to “create an international coalition to provide Ukraine with combat aviation capabilities, including training and purchasing F-16 aircraft.” The United States and allies should decide on the supply of fighter jets in the coming months. As US presidential adviser Jake Sullivan stated, solution will be accepted as Ukrainian pilots are trained.

Russian Foreign Ministry counted plans for the supply of aircraft and training of pilots by the escalation of the conflict from the West. “We see that Western countries are still adhering to the escalation scenario. It involves enormous risks for themselves. In any case, this will be taken into account in all our plans, and we have all the necessary means to achieve our goals,” Deputy Minister Alexander Grushko said.