Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with journalists in Kyiv on June 6.
Several European partners have sent a “powerful” offer to Ukraine for an undisclosed number of donated Lockheed Martin F-16s, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 6.
“I am very happy with the information I received from some countries. It was a serious, powerful offer,” Zelenskyy said to reporters Kyiv, according to a statement released by his office.
Zelenskyy said he received the proposals during his surprise visit to neighboring Moldova on June 1 to participate in the Summit of the European Political Community.
The transfers remain pending until a joint agreement for reexporting the fighters to Ukraine can be reached with the U.S. government, Zelenskyy’s office said.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, has begun the long process to prepare the air force’s infrastructure to operate the Western-built fighters.
Oleshchuk “understands where to do, what to do and in what quantity,” Zelenskyy said.
He previously stated a requirement for 48 Western-built fighters, which would be enough to fill four standard Ukrainian squadrons. European countries, including Netherlands and Denmark, have expressed willingness to consider transferring F-16 Mid-Life Update fighters to Ukraine.
The U.S. government resisted Ukraine’s requests for donated fighter aircraft for several months, but President Joe Biden dropped the administration’s opposition in mid-May.
