Belgian Prime Minister answers whether the EU will be able to speed up the delivery of air defense systems and F-16 aircraft to Ukraine

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Kroo, whose country currently holds the presidency of the EU Council, noted that Belgium supports the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots, and hopes that the first delivery of the fighters will take place in May 2024. At the same time, de Kroo emphasized that Belgium also needs F-16s, as their replacement with the latest F-35s has not yet taken place, UNN reports , citing a broadcast of a press conference dedicated to Belgium's European presidency.

Details

When asked whether the situation with air defense could be discussed during the next EU Council and whether this could speed up the delivery of F-16 fighters from Belgium to Ukraine, the Prime Minister of the European country, Alexander de Kroo, said that "the first delivery should take place next month." But according to the official, "we (Belgium) still need them ourselves, and we are not one of those countries where F-35s are already being replaced by F-16s.

De Croo also added the following about the F-16:

We try to coordinate the F-16 as much as possible. Belgium is part of the existing F16 coalition. Our aircraft are in use today (...) We are an important factor in ensuring that they are properly trained as pilots and also as maintenance crews

According to the Belgian Prime Minister, this is important to "make sure that the aircraft can be used in the most efficient way possible.

The head of the European government also said that "supplies for Ukrainian defense are being discussed in any European country.

Of course, air defense systems will also be discussed

Recall

UNN reported that EU leaders will discuss the supply of air defense systems, including Patriot batteries, to Ukraine at the upcoming summit in Brussels on April 17-18.