Russia is planning “response measures” to contain what it sees as a serious threat from NATO after the US said some members of the military alliance were transferring supersonic F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
The first batch of US F-16s is already being shipped to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands and will fly over Ukrainian airspace this summer, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.
Denmark has pledged to donate a total of 19 fighter jets, while the Netherlands has promised to deliver 24 aircraft. Both countries are driving forces behind an international coalition to supply Ukraine with F-16s.
Norway also announced on Wednesday that it will donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with deliveries expected to begin this year.
French President Emmanuel Macron has already promised that France will supply its own fighter jets to Ukraine.
During his June 6 speech, he said that France would send Mirage-2000 fighter jets from French manufacturer Dassault and train Ukrainian pilots to fly them as part of new military cooperation with Kiev.
Russian response
Moscow, which blames NATO for the current war and accuses it of unprovoked expansion, said it was planning “response measures” to contain the “very serious threat” to the alliance.
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