The Netherlands and Denmark have confirmed plans to provide Kyiv with more than 40 multipurpose F-16 fighter jets, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after visiting both countries.
But the first transfers of the American-made jets for which Kyiv has long pleaded is likely to involve a lengthy pilot training process, meaning they will not arrive in time to help Ukraine during a tough summer counteroffensive that has only delivered moderate gains since it began in June.
The announced transfers, approved by Washington on Friday, marks the first time Ukraine’s western allies will provide Nato-grade aircraft to Kyiv. Slovakia and Poland have given Ukraine their fleets of Soviet jets.