The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, assured today that the Armed Forces of his country have the ability to respond to future supply of F-1 fighters6 to Ukraine by some Western countries after the training of Ukrainian pilots in its management.
“As for our reaction, I have no doubt that our armed forces do have the capabilities to react to this“, he said at a press conference during his surprise visit to Kenya.
Four days ago, after the last meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group, also known as Ramstein Group, The US, Denmark and the Netherlands decided to begin in the coming weeks to design a training system for Ukrainian forces in handling F-16 fighters.
Also Norway, Belgium, Portugal and Poland have offered to help in this training prior to the eventual supply of this type of fighter to Ukraine. He Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin He has previously stated that Denmark and the Netherlands will be the ones to lead the coalition to train the pilots after US President Joe Biden endorsed the shipment of these aircraft in mid-May.
“As for Denmark and the Netherlands and their intention to be in the forefront of those who train Ukrainian pilots in handling Western aircraft, I would say that it is a desire to please the hegemonic power”Lavrov noted. “These countries are actively following Washington’s line on European affairs,” he added.
The day before Lavrov described as Western plans to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets “unacceptable escalation”. “Of course it is an unacceptable escalation,” the head of Russian diplomacy told the show.