Poland has started training Ukrainian fighter pilots. This is what the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said at a meeting with European defense ministers in Brussels. Pilots are being trained to fly the F-16s as part of a program by several European countries to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force.

She gave the United States last week The permit required to train pilots. The F-16s come from there. In Poland, Kiev’s loyal ally and leading supplier of combat aircraft, the first training courses have already been given this week. The Netherlands and Denmark are also preparing to train Ukrainian pilots.

Despite the approval of the United States, many Western countries are still reluctant to deliver modern combat aircraft. Holland hasn’t made a commitment yet either, but is keeping the door open.

Defense Minister Kajsa Olungren said in Brussels today that pilot training is “the first step towards a possible delivery of Western aircraft”. According to Ollongren, the F-16s will not be delivered in the near future, but The Hague is still in talks with allies about the possibility of joint deliveries in the future.

Eva Silderbeck