Ukraine will be able to use Dutch F-16 fighters to destroy military targets on the territory of the Russian Federation, and the only restriction for the Ukrainian military in this matter will be compliance with international humanitarian law.
At the same time, in the Netherlands they believe that the issue of restoring Ukraine is one that can be achieved through Ukrainian efforts, and therefore the World Bank will have to be involved in order to restore what was destroyed by the Russian army.
The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Kaisa Ollongren, spoke about this in an interview with Suspilny.
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F-16 for Ukraine
According to the minister, now Ukrainian pilots who are mastering F-16 fighters in the Netherlands are already completing their training.
— We are on our way to completing the training of the first groups. Pilots train much faster than usual, — she says.
According to Ollongren, Ukraine will be able to receive the first F-this summer.
— First Danish, then Dutch. And then we will continue to work like this — in batches, — she says.
The head of the Dutch Ministry of Defense adds that Ukraine will be able to hit targets on Russian territory with these F-16s, and the only condition will be compliance with international humanitarian law.
— F-16 — is one type of weapon. We provide other weapons as well and have always said: how exactly to use them is up to Ukraine. You adhere to international humanitarian law. This is the only condition we set. Therefore, how exactly to use the F-16 — is a decision of the Ukrainian military. If you see targets outside of Ukraine, but they need to be hit for defense, they are legal. I have always defended the right of Ukraine to fight as it sees fit. I see more and more countries now taking the same position, — she emphasized.
Aid for Ukraine
Kaisa Ollongren also commented on the Netherlands' intentions to invest €400 million in a Swedish fund to produce infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine.
According to her, we are talking about Swedish CV90 armored vehicles.
— We want to increase their production — both for Ukraine and for other countries using the CV90. This project will also benefit the Dutch industry. So everybody wins, she says.
In addition, the Netherlands allocated another €1 billion for military assistance to Ukraine, as well as €400 million for reconstruction.
According to the head of the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the military assistance allocated by her country will be planned for the long term.
— That's why we added money for this year — This is the billion you mentioned, as well as the amount for the next one. Predictability is important. Because we see how problems immediately arise when, for example, there is a gap in the delivery of ammunition. The same goes for drones and other systems, — she says.
As for the restoration of Ukraine, then, according to Ollongren, the Ukrainian budget will need “significant funds”, therefore “this is not like your country (Ukraine, & ;#8212; Ed.) can do it yourself”.
— We will have to involve the World Bank and other similar organizations. But we need to start already, — she says.
World Summit
The head of the defense department made a separate comment on the Peace Summit, which is scheduled for June 15-16 in Switzerland. It is expected that points from the Ukrainian Peace Formula will be discussed.
However, according to Ollongren, the position of the Netherlands on the Summit — this is support for the peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
— We support President Zelensky's peace plan. The summit in Switzerland is an important step. There are several important topics to discuss — nuclear safety, energy, food. They concern all countries of the world, — the official explained.
In addition, the minister called “unacceptable” actions of Hungary, which from time to time prevents Ukraine from receiving assistance.
— You know, Hungary has been blocking funding for more than a year. We are talking about the European Peace Fund and the Ukraine Assistance Fund, which must pay for the weapons that member countries provide to Ukraine. At our last meeting in the European Council, almost every country said that this was unacceptable. We contacted Hungary, as well as the High Representative of the European Union (Josep Borrell, — Ed.) to solve this problem. Because it's unfair that one country can block what everyone else wants. We will further increase pressure on Hungary before it assumes the EU Council Presidency on July 1, — she says.
Regarding the absence of Russia at the Peace Summit, here, Ollongren says, Ukraine’s position is clear.
— From the point of view of Ukraine, I can understand that now the dialogue with Russia will not be fruitful, because we have not seen any signs of good faith on the part of the Russian Federation. I hope the summit will be successful and many countries will support the idea of a just peace for Ukraine. And I also hope that at some point there will be a new summit, at which Russia will be and where this peace can be achieved, — she says.
At the same time, the Summit should show the world that Russia cannot win this war of conquest that the Russians started, and therefore “at some point” The Russian Federation will need to be “forced to sit down at the negotiating table”.
