Denmark delivery of F-16s to Ukraine prompts escalation: Ambassador

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agecnies
21 Aug 2023 17:44

Denmark's decision to provide Ukraine with American F-16 fighter jets has been criticized by Russia as an escalation of the conflict.

Russia's Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin poses in the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 4, 2022. (AFP)

Denmark's move to supply Kiev with American F-16 fighter jets in its war with Russia is an escalation of the conflict, Russia's ambassador to Denmark said on Monday.

"The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict," Ambassador Vladimir Barbin said in a statement to AFP.

"By hiding behind a premise that Ukraine itself must determine the conditions for peace, Denmark seeks with its deeds and words to leave Ukraine no choice but to continue the military confrontation with Russia," Barbin explained

The diplomat emphasized that such a position would force Ukraine into the "abyss" and push the country into suffering.

The US State Department announced on Friday that it will allow the Netherlands and Denmark to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets but only once the country's pilots are trained to operate them, as both European nations are leading the training programs.

"This way, Ukraine can take full advantage of its new capabilities as soon as the first set of pilots complete their training," a State Department spokesperson said.

It remains unclear how long it will be before the first set of Ukrainian pilots are completely ready to fly the jets, with officials hoping for pilots to be ready by 2024 while training by an 11-nation coalition is due to start this month.

After the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reached an agreement on Sunday with the Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte over the number of F-16s to be delivered to Ukraine once Ukrainian pilots complete their training.

"[First Lady] Olena Zelenska and I arrived in the Netherlands with the team. There will be focused talks with [Rutte]. Key topic: F-16s for Ukraine," the Ukrainian President wrote on social media, noting that he and Rutte agreed to supply Ukraine with 42 jets once the training of Ukrainian pilots is completed.

"Mark Rutte and I reached an agreement on the number of F-16s to be transferred to Ukraine once our pilots and engineers have completed their training. 42 jets. And this is just the beginning. Thank you, Netherlands!" he wrote.

Zelensky also visited Denmark on Sunday and met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen who said that her country will deliver 19 F-16s, six of which will arrive in Ukraine by the end of this year while six will be delivered next year as the remaining eight will make their way to the country in 2025.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in July that Moscow would consider the delivery of F-16 jets a nuclear threat against Russia, due to the American-made aircraft's ability to carry nuclear warheads.

These events mark yet another Western escalation of the conflict as the scope of confrontation increases with the delivery of another strategic vehicle which comes after various Western countries' supplied Zelensky's government with long-range missiles, attack drones, and top-tier armored vehicles.