Ukraine seeks first batch of 24 fighter jets from international allies

Ukraine intends to receive two fighter squadrons of 12 combat aircraft each from its international allies in the first aid package. Sources: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, in a commentary for El Pais news outlet; European Pravda Details: Ukraine's priority is to acquire American F-16s, although Kyiv is considering French Rafale and Swedish Gripen as well.

Ihnat confirmed that, in addition to the complicated political negotiations required to carry out this operation, Kyiv would not be able to rely on these aircraft on the battlefield in the short term, as it will take at least six months to train pilots and ground support teams.

This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that after the agreement between the United States and Germany to supply heavy tanks to Ukrainian troops, the next step should be to provide Ukraine with fighter jets. As previously reported, the Royal Air Force stands for supplying fighter jets to Ukraine after Russian troops are pushed out of Ukrainian territory. Previously, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius spoke out against providing Ukraine with German fighter jets. "This is out of the question," he said.

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Meanwhile, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said last week that the Netherlands "has no taboo" on discussing a request for F-16s if Ukraine asked for them, and the Slovak government has spoken directly about plans to give Ukraine Soviet-made MiG-29s.

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