Speech at NATO summit - Selenskyj: Waiting for F-16 "like my mother after school"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested Western allies for a large number of fighter jets at the NATO summit's sidelines. Ukraine hopes to receive the first individual F-16 aircraft this summer, Zelenskyy said during a speech at the Ronald Reagan Foundation in Washington. Russia is capable of deploying up to 300 planes daily for attacks against Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian media reports, Zelenskyy made an original comparison about waiting for partners' decisions: "You know, we've always been waiting. Just like my mother used to wait for me after school, and I always found an excuse to come home later. It's the same thing, only much more serious."
No F-16 jets in Ukraine yet
With the approval of the United States as the manufacturer country, countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark plan to provide Ukraine with F-16s. The training of Ukrainian pilots and ground crews for this aircraft type has been ongoing for months. However, the jets have not yet arrived in Ukraine. They are primarily intended to prevent unhindered bombing runs by Russian aircraft.
The discussion revolves around only 10 or 20 planes, Zelenskyy complained. "Even if it's 50, that's nothing. They (the Russians) have 300," he said. "As long as we don't have 128 planes, we won't be able to take them on in the sky." Zelenskyy did not provide further details about this number.
Ukraine has been repelling a Russian invasion for nearly two and a half years and is heavily reliant on foreign arms supplies. According to experts, the country itself only has a few dozen Soviet-type fighter jets, such as MiG-29, Su-24, Su-25, and Su-27, left. The NATO marks its 75th anniversary in Washington until Thursday. Aid for Ukraine is a significant topic during the summit.
NATO website for the summit [https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_116182.htm]
- At the NATO summit's sidelines, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, pleaded for a significant number of fighter jets from Western allies.
- During his speech at the Ronald Reagan Foundation in Washington, Zelenskyy expressed hope for the delivery of the first individual F-16 aircraft this summer.
- Russia has the capability to deploy approximately 300 planes daily for attacks against Ukraine, according to reports.
- The United States, who is the manufacturer country, has given its approval for countries like the Netherlands and Denmark to provide Ukraine with F-16 jets.
- The training of Ukrainian pilots and ground crews for this aircraft type has been ongoing for months, but the jets have yet to arrive in Ukraine.
- Volodymyr Selenskyy expressed disappointment about the number of jets being discussed, stating, "Even if it's 50, that's nothing."
- As Russia poses a significant threat, Ukraine, heavily dependent on foreign arms supplies, is hoping for strong military support from its partners during the NATO summit in Washington.
