01:32USA: Denmark, Netherlands to lead training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Europe - DefMin Austin
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin thanked Denmark and the Netherlands for leading the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Europe on Thursday, during a news briefing in Washington, DC following the Ramstein 12 meeting.
"I especially want to thank Denmark and the Netherlands which have decided to lead a European coalition in providing F-16 training for Ukrainian forces, in the coming weeks, my Dutch and Danish counterparts will work with the United States and other allies to develop a training framework," Austin said.
In addition, Norway, Belgium, Portugal and Poland have also offered their assistance in the training, according to the Defence Secretary.
Later, the defence chief reiterated that Washington is prepared to stand by Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’ and pledged to provide Kiev with ‘what they need when they need it.’
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, shared the podium with Austin during the briefing and announced the US would be sending further arms supplies to Ukraine as part of its 38th drawdown package.
“Additional HIMARS ammunition, artillery rounds, anti-armour systems and additional support vehicles. These munitions and vehicles and weapons will strengthen the Ukrainian offensive and defensive capabilities,” the General said.
In addition, Milley stressed that the weapons are not intended to be used on Russian soil and that the US was not engaged in a direct conflict with Moscow.
“This is a war between Ukraine and Russia and we are supporting, supplying and help training and advising and assisting Ukraine. But it is not a direct conflict between the United States and Russia," he said.
Russia has accused Western nations of inflaming and escalating the conflict in Ukraine, claiming that any future weapons deliveries will only prolong the fighting and won’t change the outcome.
01:32Mandatory credit: US Department of Defense
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin thanked Denmark and the Netherlands for leading the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Europe on Thursday, during a news briefing in Washington, DC following the Ramstein 12 meeting.
"I especially want to thank Denmark and the Netherlands which have decided to lead a European coalition in providing F-16 training for Ukrainian forces, in the coming weeks, my Dutch and Danish counterparts will work with the United States and other allies to develop a training framework," Austin said.
In addition, Norway, Belgium, Portugal and Poland have also offered their assistance in the training, according to the Defence Secretary.
Later, the defence chief reiterated that Washington is prepared to stand by Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’ and pledged to provide Kiev with ‘what they need when they need it.’
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, shared the podium with Austin during the briefing and announced the US would be sending further arms supplies to Ukraine as part of its 38th drawdown package.
“Additional HIMARS ammunition, artillery rounds, anti-armour systems and additional support vehicles. These munitions and vehicles and weapons will strengthen the Ukrainian offensive and defensive capabilities,” the General said.
In addition, Milley stressed that the weapons are not intended to be used on Russian soil and that the US was not engaged in a direct conflict with Moscow.
“This is a war between Ukraine and Russia and we are supporting, supplying and help training and advising and assisting Ukraine. But it is not a direct conflict between the United States and Russia," he said.
Russia has accused Western nations of inflaming and escalating the conflict in Ukraine, claiming that any future weapons deliveries will only prolong the fighting and won’t change the outcome.