Kuleba: F-16s will appear in Ukrainian skies by mid-summer

F-16 fighter jets are to appear in Ukraine's skies by mid-summer, and so far everything is going according to plan, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said at a briefing in Warsaw.

"Initially, it was planned that F-16s would appear in the air of Ukraine in mid-summer. So far, everything is going according to plan. But, of course, this is a very complex and complicated issue, so you never know how things can change. But this is the current schedule. According to my information, the training of pilots is going well," the minister said during an online briefing with foreign media.

Kuleba emphasised the important role and efforts of partners who help train Ukrainian pilots and engineers.

"Of course, even more training will be required, not only for pilots, but also for engineers and technicians, because the transition from Soviet-type aircraft to Western-type aircraft... requires serious changes in everything, in education, logistics, air combat philosophy and many other elements," the minister said.

Earlier, Kuleba said that he received "irritated comments" from Berlin after answering questions about the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

In an interview with Politico, he said he was "tired of answering this question".

"You can quote me, I don't mind. But every time I answer a question about Taurus, I get irritated comments from Berlin. Leave it to them. They put themselves in this situation. Let them find a way out," Kuleba said.