Zelensky reaches agreement with Netherlands's PM over F-16 jets

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Aug 2023 17:24

Other topics discussed during the two officials meeting included Ukraine's vision of a peace agreement with Russia and a global peace summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, second right, and Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte, center, look at F-16 fighter jets in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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.

He further said that other topics of discussion included Ukraine's vision of a peace agreement with Russia and a global peace summit.

The trip marks Zelensky's second as part of an EU tour in a bid to reinforce military support from Western allies.

In May the Netherlands announced that it would train Ukrainian military personnel for the deployment of F-16 aircraft. Today we can announce that the Netherlands and Denmark commit to transfer those F-16s to Ukraine as soon as the necessary conditions have been met. We are… pic.twitter.com/2XeBlCFJR9
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) August 20, 2023

On Sunday, the Financial Times reported that the failure of Ukraine's counteroffensive strategy has led to tensions between Washington and Kiev, with the United States pushing for a more aggressive attack on the southern fronts.

According to the report, the administration of President Joe Biden is quietly preparing for a war of attrition in Ukraine, which might extend into 2024.

Rep. Andy Harris, Ukraine Caucus co-chair in the House of Representatives, said in a meeting, a few days ago, that the counteroffensive has failed and the US aid to Kiev must be cut.

"Is this more a stalemate? Should we be realistic about it? I think we probably should," he said during a voters meeting near Washington. "I’ll be blunt, it’s [spring offensive] failed," he added. "I’m not sure it’s winnable anymore."

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday that "Western leaders have been repeating the same mantra saying that they will support Kiev for as long as it takes. Of course, fighting until the last Ukrainian is their choice, as well as the choice of Vladimir Zelensky’s clique. That said, the United States does not have the best historical record when it comes to supporting its allies."

"The longer the armed clashes last, the less appetite will the Western investors have to contribute to post-conflict recovery in Ukraine, and the weaker their faith in Ukraine’s success on the battlefield, or its ability to preserve its statehood in any form or within any borders. I am not even mentioning whether Kiev would be able to service its government debt. Taxpayers in Western countries will have no choice but to carry the burden of the unpaid debt, causing more inflation and lower living standards," he added.