Belgium Prohibits F-16s Usage to Strike Russia’s Territory

Belgium and Ukraine conclude an agreement that prohibits the use of Belgian military assistance outside Ukrainian territory.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated this during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels.

According to him, the same applies to F-16 fighter jets, which the Belgian side will use to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force.

“Everything that is stipulated in the agreement, military equipment, military materials, must be used by the Armed Forces on Ukrainian territory, we have signed such an agreement,” said Alexander De Croo.

He also noted that Ukraine will have a full-fledged air capability starting this year.

On May 28, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo signed a bilateral agreement on security guarantees that will be in effect for the next 10 years.

According to the document, Ukraine will receive at least €977 million in military aid from Belgium this year.

Also, Belgium will transfer 30 of its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028, the first of which will be delivered this year.

Belgium initially planned to deliver the first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine no earlier than 2025, but in April 2024 decided to send the first fighter jets in 2024.

Belgium joined the aviation coalition for Ukraine last year, along with the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway.

Initially, the country’s participation was limited to training and logistical support, but later the Belgian government decided to supply the aircraft.

As previously reported, the first batch of Ukrainian pilots graduated from U.S. F-16 training. The first specialists in the F-16 fighter jet maintenance began to return to Ukraine.