Zelensky lands in Balkan Europe: President’s whirlwind trip sees war-time leader fly to Greece – after Denmark and Netherlands vow to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine
- President Zelensky met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis today
President Volodymyr Zelensky has flown to Greece for talks with the country’s leadership after Denmark and the Netherlands vowed to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and also was scheduled to meet the country’s figurehead president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
He is also set to join in an informal dinner, organised by Mr Mitsotakis, for top officials from nine Balkan nations – as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council head Charles Michel.
The dinner is scheduled to discuss the Western Balkans region’s future in the EU, which many countries have already joined and the rest are jockeying to enter.
It comes after Denmark and the Netherlands announced on Sunday they would provide Kyiv with warplanes that could be delivered around the end of the year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska visit the Danish Parliament Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Denmark, on August 21
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on during a meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Athens
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (left) welcomes President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky (right), at the doorstep of his office in Athens
Greece has joined its Nato and EU partners in strongly backing Ukraine against the Russian invasion, and has provided material military assistance in the form of armoured personnel carriers and ammunition.
But Athens has resisted pressure to provide Kyiv with a Russian-made air defence missile system stationed on the southern island of Crete.
Earlier today, Mr Zelensky was in Denmark, where he thanked lawmakers for helping his country resist Russia’s invasion.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the Netherlands has 42 F-16s available in all, but it is too early to say whether all of them will be donated.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr Zelensky at a military air base in Eindhoven, Mr Rutte said: ‘We can announce that the Netherlands and Denmark commit to the transfer of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine and the Ukrainian Air Force.’
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The decision is ‘absolutely historic, powerful and inspiring for us,’ Mr Zelensky said.
He added: ‘This is another step towards strengthening Ukraine’s air shield.’
Mr Zelensky also called the deal a ‘breakthrough agreement’ and said the exact number of aircraft will be discussed ‘a little later’.
The pledge is the first real promise of F-16’s for Ukraine’s armed forces and comes just days after the United States approved the possible delivery of the fighter jets by the Netherlands and Denmark.
The US had earlier ruled out providing F-16s to Ukraine, fearing that this would lead to further escalation with a nuclear-armed Russia.
In May, Rishi Sunak and Mr Rutte pledged to build an international coalition to provide Ukraine with the jets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (second left) attending a meeting with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (second right) in Athens
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky attend a joint press conference after their meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacts after addressing the crowd in front of the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen
Zelensky and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sit in a F-16 fighter jet at Skrydstrup Airbase in Vojens, Denmark, today
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she hoped the first Danish F-16s could be handed over to Ukraine around New Year.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte did not provide a timeframe, saying it depends on how soon Ukrainian crews and infrastructure are ready.
He and Mr Zelensky inspected two F-16s parked in a hangar at a Dutch base in the southern city of Eindhoven.
‘The F-16s will not help immediately now with the war effort. It is anyway a long-term commitment from the Netherlands,’ the Dutch leader said.
‘We want them to be active and operational as soon as possible. … Not for the next month, that’s impossible, but hopefully soon afterward.’
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