World News Zelenskiy hopes allies will give Ukraine more F-16s Blog

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects Ukraine’s allies to make a decision to provide more F-16 fighter jets to support the country’s war effort.

Zelensky made this remark during a video address published on Telegram during a summit of the NATO military alliance in the United States.

“Today we continue working in Washington. In particular, a decision on the F-16 will be made very soon. We are increasing the number of aircraft available to Ukraine,” he said.

Ukraine has long been pushing its allies to supply F-16 fighter jets to improve their defenses against Russian long-range missile attacks.

The first jets from the Netherlands and Denmark are already on their way to Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

Zelensky had previously stated that the agreed number of F-16 fighter jets was not sufficient and that Ukraine needed at least 128 fighter jets to counter Russia.

Norway will donate six F-16 fighter jets, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Wednesday, adding that the jets were important for Ukraine.

No date has been announced for when Norway will donate the six jets, but Gahr Støre said: “We intend to start the donations during 2024.”

He said Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against air attacks was absolutely crucial in its defensive struggle against Russia.

Gahr Støre spoke before arriving in Washington DC for the NATO summit.

Last year, during a trip to Kyiv, he said that Norway would donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but did not specify the number.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military on Wednesday denied reports that Russian forces had captured the village of Yasnobrodivka in the eastern Donetsk region.

“The published information does not correspond to reality: Yasnobrodivka is under the complete control of the (Ukrainian) defense forces,” military spokesman Nasar Voloshin was quoted as saying by the Suspilne television channel.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Wednesday morning that he expected NATO allies to agree on a “substantial” package for Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said the package would include a new NATO command for Ukraine to provide defence assistance and training, as well as a long-term commitment to continue and maintain support for the country.

He said there would be new announcements for immediate military support, including air defense and measures to ensure full interoperability between Ukrainian armed forces and NATO forces.

He also said he expected the allies to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine becoming a NATO member.

The latest draft of the summit declaration, which must be approved by all, says NATO will continue to support Ukraine “on its irreversible path towards full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership,” an alliance source told Reuters.

with AP

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