Zelensky accuses “some” Western partners, including Portugal, of delaying pilot training

The so-called “F-16 coalition” includes countries such as Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and the United States, whose governments have committed to training Ukrainian pilots to use these American-made fighters. No teaching start dates were provided

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, this Saturday accused “some” Western partners, including Portugal, of procrastinating and delaying training Ukrainian pilots for combat aircraft in the conflict between the country and Russia.

Do they have any idea when Ukraine will be able to receive [aviões de caça] F-16?In front of reporters, Zelensky was questioned at a joint press conference with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, referring to the West.

Isn’t there a schedule for the training missions? I think some partners are getting late [o processo] And drag your feet. why are you doing that? I don’t know,” added the Ukrainian president, who will receive Sanchez’s visit on Saturday in his capacity as the Spanish presidency of the European Union.

Thus Zelensky expressed his frustration with the Western Allies’ pledge to train Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighter jets, as they have not yet provided any dates for the start of the training.

The so-called “F-16 coalition” includes countries such as Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and the United States, whose governments have committed to training Ukrainian pilots to use these American-made fighters.

For months, Ukraine has been asking its allies to send these planes to better protect its cities and soldiers participating in the counterattack in the conflict against Russia, which began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Kiev considers that training its pilots to use the F-16 is a first step towards sending these aircraft to Ukraine.

Zelensky and other Ukrainian military and commanders have insisted in recent weeks that Ukraine could meet its current counter-offensive with much greater security and less loss of life and military equipment if the advancing units were protected from the air by F-16s. “.”.

Spain is not part of the “F-16 Alliance” and therefore has not committed itself to training Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16s.

Ukraine’s candidacy for membership in the European Union is one of the priorities of the Spanish presidency, according to a joint statement issued by the Ukrainian President and the Spanish Prime Minister, who is visiting Kiev today.

“Spain renews its support for Ukraine’s candidacy for membership in the European Union, which will be a priority for its presidency.”reads in the statement.

According to the same note, Spain also supports the “strengthening of partnership” between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine, including through the creation of a NATO-Ukraine Council.

Zelensky thanked the Spanish prime minister for his support and his “symbolic visit” to Kiev, when Spain began its EU presidency.

During his visit to Kiev, Sanchez announced that Spain would send four more Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and since then a military conflict has erupted.