Lavrov: Russian Armed Forces have something to answer for possible deliveries of F-16 to Kyiv

The Russian Armed Forces have the opportunity to respond to the deliveries of F-16 fighter jets announced by the West to Ukraine, declared Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to journalists.

“As for our reaction, I have no doubt that our Armed Forces have the ability to respond to this,” he answered the question of what Moscow’s reaction would be in the event of such deliveries.

Commenting on the decision of Denmark and the Netherlands lead training of Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16, Lavrov connected it with the desire of the authorities of these countries to “please the hegemon”.

“These countries are actively pursuing Washington’s line in European affairs, first of all,” he added.

At the summit of the leaders of the G7 countries (USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan), which was held 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 Kiev. The training of Ukrainian pilots has already begun in several countries, said the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell.

In May 2023, it was announced that Ukraine had its own F-16 aircraft may provide the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark (the exact number of cars was not called). Poland is not going to transfer its F-16s to Ukraine (it received 48 new-made aircraft in the 2000s), citing the fact that it needs them itself. Portugal said that it could not yet supply fighter jets either. Italy also reported a similar decision.

Later, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that Denmark and the Netherlands would lead a European coalition to train Ukrainian pilots.

The Kremlin said that the supply of fighter jets to Kyiv will not change the situation on the line of contact. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov pointed to the continuation of an increasing spiral of providing the Armed Forces of Ukraine with new weapons. According to him, Russia is facing a similar situation “turn after turn”, and Western countries are increasingly involved in the conflict in Ukraine.