IRIA News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Europe to seek fighter jets for Ukraine. Zelenskyy discussed steps for transferring Swedish Gripen fighter jets and reached a deal to acquire 42 F-16 combat aircraft from the Netherlands and 19 from Denmark.

Ukraine‘s Zelenskyy arrived in Harpsund, Sweden, on August 19, where he held a meeting with Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson. During his meeting with the Swedish leader, Zelenskyy said that both countries detailed the agreement on the joint production of the Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicle in Ukraine.

According to the Presidential Office of Ukraine statement, Zelenskyy said, “Our warriors highly praise the СV90 and are grateful not only for the fact that they are advancing with the help of these vehicles but also for the fact that the CV90 vehicles help save and protect the lives of our warriors. Life is the most valuable.”

Zelenskyy added, “We deal with such vile Russian terrorist attacks, unfortunately, daily. Every day while this criminal aggression continues. The only way to stop it is to expel the Russian invaders from our land.” He also thanked the head of the Swedish government and the entire people of Sweden for the vital support of Ukraine.

Ukraine and Sweden have more in common than just flag colours. Centuries of common history, a common current strength, and a future in a safe and free Europe.

This is what Ukraine is fighting for, with Sweden’s strong support.

I thank the Swedish Royal Family, Prime Minister… pic.twitter.com/SGeBrW6cjf

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 19, 2023

After his meeting with the Swedish prime minister, Zelenskyy said in a video statement that Ukraine is “getting closer” to acquiring Swedish Gripen fighter jets and highlighted that Ukrainian forces “need to control the sky to ensure the further advance of troops and the liberation of the territories occupied by Russia… Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen aircraft can strengthen Ukrainian positions in the sky.”

Zelenskyy outlined ten outcomes of the talks with the Swedish leader and that Ukraine and Sweden agreed to work on the joint production of CV-90s armored vehicles in Ukraine. He also pointed out that Ukrainian fighters have begun training to operate Swedish Archers and Ukrainian pilots have begun training on Gripen fighter aircraft. Zelenskyy added that “Our teams will discuss the bilateral document on security guarantees following the G7 Declaration.”

During his Sweden trip, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska also had a meeting with the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf, and Queen Silvia of Sweden. Zelenskyy hailed Sweden’s support for Ukrainian citizens who escaped Russian aggression and were forced to seek temporary shelter in Sweden.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and his team arrived in the Netherlands and Denmark on August 20. While in the Netherlands, Zelenskyy met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and discussed the matters related to acquiring advanced fighter jets, holding the global peace summit, and bringing Russians accountable for their crimes in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Today, we took another step to strengthen Ukraine’s air shield.” He announced that Ukrainian pilots and engineers have already begun their training in Denmark and the European country will provide Ukraine with 19 F-16 fighter jets. He added, “We are working on the speed of preparations… Our F-16 coalition is proving its efficiency.”

The Ukrainian President announced that Ukraine will receive 42 F-16 fighters and thanked the Dutch and Danish leaders and people for their support and decision to send F-16s to Ukraine.

Ukrainian pilots training on Gripen and F-16 fighter jets

Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian pilots had already begun training on Saab Gripen fighter jets. While Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that his country’s pilots have also begun training on F-16 jets.

Without mentioning how long the training will last, Reznikov said, “Training [on F-16 jets] has begun” and “a minimal term of training is six months.” Ukraine’s defense minister said that now the important issue is what kind of weapons the fighter jets would be carrying. He highlighted, “Without radars, the plane cannot see, and without machine guns, missiles, and shells, it is not a weapon, but only a carrier.”

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

After receiving the U.S. approval the Ukrainian forces are set to receive advanced F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark. Ukraine had been pleading to acquire sophisticated fighter jets to bolster its strategic advantage in the ongoing counteroffensive against the Russian forces.

In May 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden said that he was in favor of sending the F-16 jets to Ukraine. The U.S. President shared his intention during the G7 meeting in Japan as the National security adviser Jake Sullivan said that the U.S. would also train Kyiv’s pilots to use the jets.

Ukrainian forces have been making slow but steady progress in their counteroffensive, however, the ground forces are facing a severe disadvantage due to the lack of air cover. Currently, the Ukrainian air force is supporting its advancing infantry using decades-old Soviet-era fight jets, which are highly vulnerable against Russia’s sophisticated new fleet of fighter jets.