German Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated on Sunday that "training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets is a message to Russia not to expect success in its invasion of Ukraine, even if it is prolonged." He added, "The training of pilots is a long-term project, and the United States has not decided what will happen in the end. The project carries a message to Russia that it cannot rely on achieving victory if it bets on a prolonged war."
Kyiv has not received commitments for the supply of these fighter jets, but U.S. President Joe Biden and senior U.S. officials informed G7 leaders on Friday that "Washington supports joint training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft."
Russian news agency TASS reported that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Saturday that "Western countries would face serious risks if they supplied Ukraine with F-16s."
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that "his country will work with the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark to provide Ukraine with the aerial combat capabilities it needs."
