Training pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the F-16 does not make NATO a party to the war – Stoltenberg
Supporting Ukraine by training pilots on F-16 fighters does not make NATO and allied countries a party to the conflict.
This was stated on Tuesday by the general secretary of the military-political bloc, Jens Stoltenberg, speaking to journalists in Brussels before the meeting of defense ministers of the EU countries.
He welcomed the decision of several NATO allies to begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
– This is an important step that will partially enable us to deliver fighter jets at a certain stage, but also sends a very clear signal that we are here for a long time, and that Russia cannot wait (for Western aid to Ukraine, – Ed.), – he said.
Stoltenberg continued that “the right to self-defense is enshrined in the UN charter. We help Ukraine defend this right. It is our right to help them defend UN law, international law, against aggressive war. This does not make NATO and NATO allies a party to the conflict, but we support Ukraine to protect itself from an aggressive war, a brutal invasion by President Putin.”
It will be recalled that on Friday, May 19, US President Joe Biden informed the G7 leaders that Washington supports joint efforts with allies and partners to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation aircraft, including the F-16.
After Biden supported the idea of training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 aircraft, Russia’s deputy foreign minister warned Western countries of “huge risks” in the event of providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.
In response to this, President Biden ridiculed the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry, saying that it is indeed a risk, but for Russia.