Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a crowd in Denmark on Monday that the promise of delivery of US-made F-16 fighter jets convinced him that Ukraine could end the Russian invasion.
Denmark and the Netherlands announced on Sunday that they will deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine, with the first six to be delivered around the New Year.
"Today we believe that Russia will lose this war," Zelenskyy told thousands of people gathered outside the Danish parliament to hear his speech.
Earlier, Russia warned that supplying Ukraine with jets would only exacerbate the war, which has already lasted nearly 18 months. Russian forces occupy nearly a fifth of Ukraine's territory and kyivs are fighting to expel them.
"Denmark's decision to donate 19 F-16s to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict," Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin said in a statement quoted by the Ritzau news agency.
"Understanding the premise that it is Ukraine who must determine the terms of the peace, Denmark seeks by its actions and words to leave Ukraine with no choice but to continue a military confrontation with Russia," he said. speak.
The Ukrainian military said the plane was crucial to the success of the slow-moving counter-offensive since its launch in early June, as it would prevent Russian warplanes from attacking. attack the advancing forces.
"Air superiority is the key to success on the ground," Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat was quoted by Ukrainian media as saying. Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said Ukraine can only use the donated F-16s on its territory.
"We supply weapons on the condition that they are used to drive the enemy out of Ukrainian territory. And nothing more," Ellemann-Jensen said on Monday.
"Those are the conditions, whether it's tanks, fighters or whatever," he said.
Denmark will supply a total of 19 jets. The Netherlands has 42 F-16s in total but has yet to decide whether all of them will be donated.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the move a "revolutionary agreement".
Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Saturday that Ukrainian pilots had begun training, but it would take at least six months if not more, to train both engineers and mechanics.
