Netherlands will deliver F-16 fighters to Ukraine: Dutch PM Mark Rutte

Zelensky visited the Netherlands on Sunday.

He met with Rutte at Eindhoven airbase, where they held a joint press conference.

It is unclear how many F-16 fighter jets will go to Ukraine.

Mark Rutte wrote on X: "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 working in close cooperation with the US and our other international partners."

"This is a next step in our support for Ukraine. A long-term step, which sends a clear signal: that we will continue supporting Ukraine. With whatever it takes, for as long as it takes: military support, humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts," he said.

"Many thanks to President @ZelenskyyUa for visiting the Netherlands today. It was good to speak in person with him and foreign minister @DmytroKuleba
at Eindhoven Air Base, together with foreign minister @WBHoekstra, @DefensieMin Kajsa Ollongren and foreign trade and development minister
@LSchreinemacher," he said.

Zelensky said the F-16s will instil fresh confidence and motivation in both warriors and ordinary citizens.

"F-16s will instill fresh confidence and motivation in both warriors and ordinary citizens. They will produce fresh results for Ukraine and the rest of Europe," Zelensky tweeted.

Zelensky later stated on the social media platform X that he expects the support of 42 Dutch F-16 fighter jets.

The Ukrainian leader said: "I thank you once again, dear @MinPres  Mark, @Statsmin Mette, your teams, and the peoples of the Netherlands and Denmark."