The Netherlands on Thursday gave Ukraine permission to use F-16 fighter jets to carry out strikes deep into Russian territory.
The American-made F-16 is an iconic fighter jet that has been the frontline fighter of choice for 50 years for NATO allies and many air forces around the world.
Newsweek Reports Permission to use Western weapons on Russian territory has been a key sticking point among Ukraine's supporters, who say Kiev could turn the tide of the conflict.
The Dutch statement suggests that Ukraine's other allies may soon follow suit and ease restrictions on Ukrainian activities inside Russia.
Britain and Netherlands form 'jet coalition' to deploy F-16 fighter jets to Ukrainehttps://t.co/4HvoO95DzM
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 17, 2023
“We do not place any restrictions on the use or range of the F-16s, as long as the laws of warfare are respected,” Dutch Defense Minister Ono Eichelsheim told Dutch media outlet NOS.
“Ukraine is free to use the resources we provide as long as they comply with the humanitarian laws of war,” the general added.
Eichelsheim confirmed that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with 24 fighter jets and other weapons, the BBC reported. Reports.
President Zelensky shows off newly arrived F-16 fighter jets to take on Russiahttps://t.co/aDfZKUk651
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He said at a conference in Washington on Wednesday that there were no restrictions on the use of the missiles beyond complying with humanitarian law, and confirmed that Kiev could launch deeper strikes into Russian territory if necessary.
Since U.S. President Joe Biden first authorized European allies to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in August 2023, NATO countries have committed to providing about 65 F-16 fighter jets.
While the F-16s are new to Ukraine, they are actually older jets donated by Ukraine's Western allies. Belgium, Denmark and Norway, along with the Netherlands, have pledged to provide units to Ukraine over the coming months, and deliveries may be made in small increments over time.
