Dutch, Danes to give F-16s to Ukraine
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Denmark and the Netherlands introduced plans Sunday to supply Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets as soon as Ukrainian pilots and engineers have accomplished coaching on the high-tech planes.
The choice got here two days after the White Home agreed to permit nations proudly owning the U.S.-made fighters to supply them to Ukraine in its struggle to turn back the Russian invasion that started 18 months in the past.
Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte known as the deal “a long-term step, which sends a transparent sign that we are going to proceed supporting Ukraine with no matter it takes, for so long as it takes. Army assist, humanitarian help and reconstruction efforts.”
Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskyy, who visited each international locations Sunday to debate particulars of the plan, mentioned Kyiv would get 42 F-16s from the Netherlands. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned she hoped to ship 19 planes, the primary six presumably by 12 months’s finish. She mentioned she was proud that Denmark could make an necessary contribution to Ukraine’s protection in opposition to Russia and their “mindless aggression.”
“Though Denmark is a small nation, we at the moment are main the way in which in supporting Ukraine,” she mentioned.
Zelenskyy mentioned the jets will “ship new outcomes” for Ukraine and Europe.
“I additionally thank @POTUS Joseph Biden, each events within the U.S. Congress, and the complete American individuals,” Zelenskyy mentioned on social media. “For his or her unwavering assist and constantly constructive steps for the aviation coalition and for the good thing about our widespread freedom.”
Developments:
∎ Three Ukrainian drones had been shot down by Russian air protection programs within the Russia’s Belgorod border area, the Russian protection ministry mentioned Sunday. Native Russian authorities mentioned 20 drones had truly been shot down.
∎ Zelenskyy, requested at a briefing in Denmark about territorial concessions in change for NATO membership, mentioned his nation was “able to change Belgorod for our membership in NATO.”
Is progress stalled?Why the Ukrainian counteroffensive is making little progress against Russian defense.
Zelenskyy defends counteroffensive, will not criticize West
Zelenskyy, talking Sunday in Denmark, blamed an absence of tanks and different highly effective weapons for the sluggish progress of his navy’s counteroffensive. Ukrainian authorities final winter had spoken of a spring push, nevertheless it began in June and outcomes have been incremental at greatest.
“We had a scarcity of tanks. 1000’s of individuals may die,” he mentioned as reported by Interfax. “We waited till we had the facility.” However he declined to criticize the West for not handing over a bigger set of weapons extra shortly.
“I obtain assist from our companions,” he mentioned. “That is why I can solely be pleased about such assist at the moment.”
Lethal Russian missile strike focused crowd at drone expo
A Russian missile strike that killed at least seven people within the Chernihiv Metropolis middle Saturday apparently focused a theater internet hosting an expo on navy drones. The assault on the Taras Shevchenko Theater additionally injured 117.
The Institute for the Examine of Struggle mentioned the drone expo known as “Offended Birds” had beforehand toured different Ukrainian cities. Organizers solely shared the placement of the occasion with individuals who registered and had been screened earlier than attending, the Washington-based assume tank mentioned. The occasion ended shortly after an air raid warning, and organizers suggested individuals to cover in a shelter. Deputy Protection Minister Hanna Malyar mentioned Russian forces are routinely focusing on public occasions for the emotional affect on Ukrainians.
“Public occasions are at all times a danger and a lottery, whether or not the data is launched or not,” Malyar mentioned. “There isn’t any secure place in Ukraine at the moment.”
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