Rutte: F-16 aircraft for training of Ukrainians will arrive in Romania in two weeks

F-16 aircraft, which the Netherlands has pledged to provide to strengthen Ukraine's air defense, will arrive at a training center in Romania in two weeks.

This was announced by Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte in a conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"This means that in the near future it will be possible to start training Ukrainian pilots who will fly them," Rutte wrote on Twitter.

He emphasized that the Netherlands would continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression as much and as long as necessary.

"The devastating situation in Israel and Gaza will not divert our attention from Ukraine. The existential need to repel Russian aggression remains our priority both for Ukraine and for the security of Europe as a whole," he said.

The Prime Minister reminded that the Netherlands provides support to Ukraine in several areas. Thus, this weekend in Malta, the Netherlands and international partners began negotiations on long-term measures to ensure Ukraine's security. The main focus will be on security and defense issues, including strengthening Ukraine's air defense.

The parties also discussed the progress of work on creating an alternative corridor for grain exports through the Black Sea. The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with patrol boats to ensure the security of this route. Negotiations on this topic were recently held in Odesa.

"The atrocities committed by Russia must not be forgotten. To this end, the Netherlands continues to participate in the investigation of Russia's crimes. Currently, the fourth Dutch mission of forensic experts is working in Ukraine under the auspices of the International Criminal Court to collect evidence of war crimes," Rutte emphasized.

For his part, Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed about the continuation of the grain corridor in the Black Sea and Ukraine's defense needs to protect people, critical and port infrastructure.

"It is very important to preserve our infrastructure, the grain corridor. And we are grateful for your support – your people, your team, and, of course, for military support. It is very important. I also thank you for the decision on the aircraft. They will help us control the sky," the president said.

Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude for the start of bilateral talks on security guarantees in accordance with the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. He noted that the Netherlands was the first non-G7 country to launch such negotiations.