2023-08-21 20:58:55
(CNN) Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, warned Monday that the Copenhagen announcement that it would supply Ukraine with F-16 fighters would “push Kiev into the abyss.”
Barbin said, “Denmark’s actions seek to leave Ukraine with no other option but to continue its military confrontation with Russia, and such a situation pushes Ukraine into the abyss and turns its people into new victims.”
“There will be no further consequence of Denmark’s decision to transfer F-16s to Ukraine,” the Russian ambassador added, using the Kremlin’s euphemism for the war in Ukraine. “The objectives of the special military operation in Ukraine to ensure Russia’s national security will be achieved.”
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksey Reznikov said on Sunday that Ukrainian pilots had begun training on the F-16s, bringing Kiev closer to getting a piece of the long-awaited military hardware it says is needed to counter Russian air superiority.
The F-16 training program is supported by a coalition of 11 NATO countries, and requires official approval from the United States, because these aircraft are American technology.
A US official said Friday that the US has committed to approving the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, once the training is completed.
Denmark and the Netherlands have taken the lead in setting up a program to train Ukrainian pilots on the American plane, but the United States is still working with other countries to see who will provide the F-16s to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on Monday that Greece will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
“Greece will participate in training our pilots on F-16 aircraft,” Zelensky added, stressing that “Ukraine is very grateful” for a new defense aid package that Greece pledged to his country.
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