Belgium says it will allow Kyiv to use F-16s only on the territory of Ukraine

All types of weapons supplied to Ukraine by Belgium must be used by the Ukrainian military on the territory of Ukraine, including F-16 fighters.

Source. This was stated by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Kroo at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on Tuesday, 28 May, after the signing of a bilateral agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between the two countries.

He said that the agreement provides Ukraine with air defence systems, artillery, armoured vehicles and F-16 fighter jets.

Brussels intends to hand over the first of the fighters in the second half of 2024.

‘One thing is absolutely clear to us: you and the people of Ukraine deserve the right tools to protect your people from an absolutely illegal aggression,’ De Kroo said, addressing Zelenskyy. – ‘You will win, and it is our duty to help you win. Our support remains strong and unwavering. The outcome of this war is crucial for our European interests, our European values and our European security.’

Zelenskyy, answering a question about some partners forbidding Ukraine to strike at Russian territory, recalled the offensive of Russian troops in Kharkiv region, during which they advanced 10 km deep.

He explained that when Russian troops from their positions on the territory of the Russian Federation strike with long-range weapons at the positions of the Ukrainian armed forces and populated areas, Ukraine cannot respond, because ‘we have no right to use weapons’.

This results in the Ukrainian Armed Forces retreating under fire pressure, while Russian troops can advance deeper.

‘This is a creeping occupation. This is the principle they use all the time. Just like they hit Kharkiv, just people,’ he said. – ‘You cannot respond to them with anything. You can even see the points (of deployment – ed.), even from the intelligence services you get maps, satellite images, you see where they are, but you cannot answer them. It seems to me that this is unfair.’

However, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine cannot risk the support of its partners, which is why it does not use the weapons provided to strike at Russian territory.

Belgium has become the 11th country with which Ukraine has signed a bilateral security agreement, along with the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia and Spain.