Russia on Monday denounced the Netherlands and Denmark’s plan to give Ukraine F-16 fighter jets, claiming the action would exacerbate the conflict.
Russia warns war with Ukraine: On Sunday, Denmark and the Netherlands announced they would give Ukraine six F-16s, the first of which would arrive around the new year.
The Russian envoy’s statement, cited by the Ritzau news agency, asserts that Denmark’s recent decision to provide Ukraine with 19 F-16 aircraft will lead to an escalation of the war.
“Denmark aims by its actions and words to leave Ukraine with no other choice but to continue the armed confrontation with Russia,” he said. “By hiding behind a premise that Ukraine itself must define the conditions for peace, he said.
According to Danish Minister of Defence Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, Ukraine may only use the given F-16s on its own soil. “We provide armaments on the understanding that they will be used to expel the enemy from Ukrainian land. And nothing more,” Ellemann-Jensen stated on Monday.
Whether it’s tanks, fighter jets, or something else, those are the circumstances, he added. Further, Total delivery of 19 jets from Denmark.
The Netherlands currently has 42 F-16s available, but has not yet decided whether to donate all of them.
However, The jets, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, would help Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces and bolster its air defences.