Training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft has already begun — Josep Borrell

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said that training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft had already begun and expressed hope for further transfer of the aircraft to Ukraine. Josep Borrell stated this on May 22 while speaking to journalists.

"This is a good thing coming from the G7. They have finally decided to prepare the ground in order to provide Ukraine with the jet fighters they need. The training of the pilots has already started — this is the first thing to do. I hope that soon we could provide Ukraine with this type of arms (F-16 fighters — ed.)," EU High Representative said.

It will be recalled that on May 19, Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed US President Joe Biden's decision to approve the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

At the G7 summit, the countries that support Ukraine with weapons reached an agreement to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. 

Following the summit, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s would begin this summer.

Earlier, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Denmark also announced their intention to train Ukrainian pilots to use these aircraft.