NATO "Supporting Ukraine F-16 Training but Will Not Become a Party to the Conflict"

Western Support for Ukrainian Fighter Jets Gains Momentum
Germany Cautious, "We Do Not Possess F-16s"

Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), announced support for F-16 fighter jet training for Ukrainian Air Force pilots but emphasized that NATO will not become a party to the war. This statement is interpreted as drawing a line against concerns raised about a full-scale war with Russia.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Following U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement at the Group of Seven (G7) summit to support F-16 pilot training for Ukrainian forces, discussions on Western fighter jet support have accelerated. However, voices expressing concerns about direct conflict between NATO and Russia are also growing. As a result, some countries, including Germany, have expressed cautious positions.

According to CNN on the 23rd (local time), Secretary General Stoltenberg attended the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council defense meeting held in Brussels, Belgium, and told reporters that NATO intends to support F-16 fighter jet pilot training for Ukraine. He said, "Ukraine has the right to defend itself. We will help Ukraine uphold that right," adding, "That does not mean NATO and NATO allies will become parties to the conflict."

Regarding the combat pilot training, he described it as "an important step toward eventually being able to provide actual fighter jets," emphasizing, "We will remain in the long term, sending a very clear signal to Russia that it cannot expect us to withdraw from the Ukraine war."

Earlier, on the 19th, U.S. President Joe Biden announced at the G7 summit held in Hiroshima, Japan, that the U.S. would support F-16 pilot training for Ukraine. This has strengthened the possibility of Western fighter jet support for Ukraine, leading to active support movements among various countries.

Western countries have begun coordinating schedules to start combat pilot training. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said at a press conference that "a concrete schedule to start training is being prepared," and "Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom are likely to participate in the pilot training."

However, concerns about escalation due to NATO's fighter jet support have also emerged, leading some countries, including Germany, to take a cautious stance. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that while they are exploring ways to support fighter pilot training, "since we do not possess F-16 fighter jets ourselves, we may not be able to provide much help with the pilot training."