Ukrainian President Zelensky began his visit to Belgium by meeting Prime Minister De Croo (Flemish liberal) at the seat of government. Here Belgium and Ukraine signed a bilateral security agreement.
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President Zelensky's day in Belgium, is gifted Belgium's entire F-16 fleet (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
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According to Mr Zelensky the agreement includes military aid worth €977 million this year. In addition, Belgium promises to continue supporting Ukraine for the next 10 years.
Under the accord Belgium will supply F-16 fighter-jets to Ukraine. The fighter-jets can only be used in Ukrainian airspace PM De Croo has stated.
Belgium has already promised more than €1 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year prime minister De Croo said during a press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky.
According to De Croo, the bilateral security agreement signed with Ukraine today includes the provision of "the necessary modern equipment" the country needs in its war against Russia.
The focus is on anti-aircraft systems, artillery, armoured vehicles and F-16s fighter-jets. The jets will be delivered "as soon as possible". The Belgian government's aim is to deliver the first as early as this year.
Belgium eyeing 2028 deadline
Earlier today, foreign minister Hadja Lahbib (Francophone liberal/MR) revealed that our country wants to deliver 30 F-16s to Ukraine by 2028. The first aircraft will be delivered as early as the end of this year, but there is no exact date yet.
The delivery of the 30 F-16s by 2028 is also in the agreement signed by Messrs Zelensky and De Croo today Mr Zelensky posted on X.
F-16s delivery depends on availability of spare parts
According to defence minister Ludivine Dedonder (Francophone socialist/PS), the exact deadline is not yet clear. "It has been decided to deliver the entire fleet of F-16s (of around 50 craft) to Ukraine as soon as the F-35s arrive on Belgian soil," she said in an interview with VRT NWS. How many F-16s will be delivered when will depend, among other things, on the availability of spare parts to renew those F-16s, the minister added.
In any case, 2 to 4 F-16s should already be deliverable to Ukraine by the end of this year, both ministers say.
Ukraine has signed similar security agreements with several European countries in recent months providing the country with security guarantees as long as the country cannot join NATO.
King Filip also met with President Zelensky this morning. Later the president is teaming up with Belgian F-16 air force pilots.
President Zelensky has arrived at Melsbroek air force base outside Brussels in the company of PM De Croo and defence minister Dedonder. Mr Zelensky will learn more about the F-16 fighter jet from Belgian pilots.
President Zelensky enjoyed his tour of the Melsbroek air base and was pleased to pose in front of an F-16 for a snap!
