Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen says that he is “open to” Denmark sending modern combat aircraft to Ukraine, but only as long as other countries do the same, DR reports.
On the anniversary of the invasion, Ukraine’s need for support is as strong as ever. During his tour of Europe two weeks ago, President Zelensky expressed the urgency of Ukraine’s need for fighter jets.
“I will not rule out that at some point it may be necessary to look at a fighter contribution,” Poulsen said earlier today on P1 Morgen. He also stressed that no final decisions have yet been made.
This reflects the attitude of most other NATO member states to send modern fighters to Ukraine.
Too high-tech?
Aside from doubts about other countries’ readiness to send jets, the defense minister questioned whether Ukrainian pilots would be able to handle the advanced technology of advanced aircraft.
“You can’t just get into an F-16 and make it fly itself. It’s about training, maintenance and a whole host of other things,” declared Poulsen.
According to Politico, the push to send F-16s to Ukraine is gathering steam in the Pentagon. However, President Biden declared on Monday that the United States would not send them for the time being.
Back in the USSR
Today, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to address NATO members to propose supplying Ukraine with ex-Soviet fighter jets, according to the Times of London.
This could provide a short-term solution, but the issue of sending high-tech jets to Ukraine still hangs in the balance.
Experts believe Ukraine wants fighter jets to organize a counter-offensive to push Russia back.
“It is partly about Ukraine having to use fighter planes to maintain its air defense, but also about the Ukrainians wanting more fighter planes to mobilize a counter-offensive,” says Major Esben Salling Larsen to DR.
East rally
The United States is currently considering whether to release intelligence about China regarding its alleged deal to send weapons to Russia.
Putin was visited yesterday by Wang Yi, China’s foreign policy chief, who announced that President Xi Jinping is planning a trip to Moscow.
The Chinese president has expressed greater interest in China helping to influence the outcome of the war.
Source: The Nordic Page