Zelenskyy says Belgium agreed to transfer three F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year
Ukraine's president says the deal is meant to be completed by the end of the year, and that Ukraine needs more capability to shoot down aerial targets as Russian attacks intensify.
What we know
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has an agreement with Belgium to receive three F-16 fighter jets by the end of this year. [1]
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine will seek to receive the aircraft through an accelerated procedure. [1]
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine has already received urgent deliveries of F-16 ammunition from Belgium and other countries, including Spain. [1]
- Not yet confirmed: The sources do not include a statement from the Belgian government, and they do not specify the delivery schedule, the terms of the agreement or what the accelerated procedure involves.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has reached an agreement with Belgium to receive three F-16 fighter jets by the end of this year. He announced the deal in a post on X on Sept. 29. [1]
Zelenskyy wrote that Ukraine will work to obtain the aircraft through an accelerated procedure. He did not describe the procedure in the post. [1]
The president also said Ukraine has already received urgent deliveries of F-16 ammunition from Belgium and other countries, including Spain. [1]
Zelenskyy said Russia is stepping up its attacks every day and that Ukraine needs more capability to shoot down aerial targets and protect people. [1]
He thanked Belgium, Prime Minister Bart De Wever and the Belgian government for what he called decisive steps to support Ukraine in response to Russia's "callous strikes against life." [1]