Denmark’s defense minister said on Tuesday that a “Western decision” on whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine could be possible “before the summer” following the delivery of MiG-29 Poles and Slovaks to Kiev.
Discussions on this take time because the countries have to act together, but a decision is still possible “in the short term”, said Minister Troels Lund Poulsen during a visit to Ukraine.
‘Denmark is not doing it alone’said the acting defense minister, quoted by the Danish media.
“We will have to do it together with several countries. And we will have to continue the dialogue with the Americans about this as well”continued Troels Lund Poulsen, adding that he believes there will be progress “before the summer”.
Slovakia and Poland sent Mig-29 (Soviet-made) fighters to Kiev in late March and early April, respectively.
Without providing further details, the Warsaw government said it has “about 30” fighter jets available to the Ukrainian armed forces for defense missions against Russian aggression, which re-invaded the neighboring country in 2022.
Yet, despite requests from Kiev, no modern Western-made warplanes were sent to Ukraine.
Denmark has a fleet of 43 F-16 fighter jets, of which 30 are active.
These US-made aircraft will be replaced by 27 F-35 aircraft, also produced in the United States.
The minister gave no details about the number of planes that Copenhagen could eventually send to Kiev.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
Source: DN
