Join our community of 1000+ patrons
Eng
Esp
Join our community of 1000+ patrons

Stoltenberg on F-16: Ukraine has right to self-defense, including hitting targets outside the country

Regarding Ukraine’s future use of the F-16 jets, NATO chief Stoltenberg says Ukraine has the right to self-defense, including striking legitimate Russian military targets outside its borders.
byYuri Zoria
22/02/2024
2 minute read
Follow Euromaidan Press on Google News
An F-16 wing. File photo: Turkish Air Force
Stoltenberg on F-16: Ukraine has right to self-defense, including hitting targets outside the country

In an interview with RFE/RL, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Ukrainian pilots of F-16 multirole fighter jets would have the right to strike legitimate military targets outside Ukraine, i.e. on Russian territory. 

Ukraine seeks F-16 fighter jets to counter Russia's air superiority at the frontline, where Russian aircraft maintain an edge with longer-range capabilities despite Ukraine's dense air defenses. The United States approved the transfer of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands last August, pending completion of pilot training. Training of Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel is ongoing, and Ukraine has yet to operate any F-16s. According to CNN sources, the first four Ukrainian pilots are expected to complete their training by summer.

Asked when Ukraine will be able to deploy the US-made F-16 fighter jets, Stoltenberg stated that was not possible to say, reiterating that Ukraine’s allies "all want them to be there as early as possible." Stoltenberg, however, emphasized that the impact of the F-16s on the battlefield would be greater if pilots are well-trained and maintenance crews and other support personnel are well-prepared.

“So, I think we have to listen to the military experts exactly when we will be ready to or when allies will be ready to start sending and delivering the F-16s,” he told RFE/RL. “The sooner the better.”

Stoltenberg stated that the decision to deliver F-16s to Ukraine is up to individual allies, who have varying policies, but emphasized that Ukraine has the right to self-defense in the war of aggression, including striking legitimate Russian military targets outside its borders.

Read also:

 

 

Read Also

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts

    Ads are disabled for Euromaidan patrons.

    Support us on Patreon for an ad-free experience.

    Already with us on Patreon?

    Enter the code you received on Patreon or by email to disable ads for 6 months

    Invalid code. Please try again

    Contact us if you're a patron and don't know where to find your code [email protected]

    Code successfully activated

    Ads will be hidden for 6 months.