WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said F-16 fighter jets are en route to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands right now, adding they will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer.
Blinken, speaking at an event on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington, said an incredibly robust package for Ukraine will be unveiled over the next couple of days that will build a clear and strong bridge for Ukraine’s NATO membership. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he expected decisions on more F-16 jet deliveries to Ukraine will be made on Wednesday.
“Today we continue to work in Washington. There will be, in particular, a decision on F-16s very soon. We are increasing the number of aircraft available to Ukraine,” he said in a video address published on Telegram during a NATO summit.
NATO allies have reached agreement on a summit declaration that includes a pledge by the alliance to continue to support Ukraine “on its irreversible path to full Euro-atlantic integration, including NATO membership,” a source told Reuters on Wednesday.
The declaration goes on to reaffirm that NATO will “be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met,” according to the source in the alliance.
