A long-standing debate among EU governments centered on Ukraine following Russia’s invasion is moving from talk to action. About a year ago, the bloc began discussions on ammunition and weapons deliveries. After months of internal debate, the Twenty-Seven agreed to provide armored vehicles, including Leopard 2 tanks, and to train Ukrainian soldiers under the command of Kyiv. Now, there are clear signals that wartime needs are pushing these governments to consider additional capabilities, including air power. Several member states have committed to starting pilot training for F-16 fighter jets, signaling a shift from defensive support to potential offensive reinforcement. The EU’s top foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, noted that pilot training has commenced and that timely delivery of such aircraft could follow. The remarks came during a meeting of the council of foreign ministers in Brussels and were framed as part of a broader effort to bolster Ukraine’s military resilience.
The chair of European diplomacy called the G7 leaders’ weekend discussions in Hiroshima, where they laid the groundwork to aid Ukraine, a positive development. Though the topic of fighters was not a formal item at the EU foreign ministers session, the emphasis remained on sanctions, accountability for war crimes, and advancing legal avenues to pursue justice for Russian actions. After the gathering, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares underscored the ongoing defense of Ukraine in public remarks.
Sending fighters has long been Kyiv’s request, though many countries have shown caution to avoid escalating tensions with Moscow. Yet recent weeks have seen several states, including Poland and Slovakia, offer aircraft support while continuing to operate with Soviet-era MiG-29 jets. The broader strategic picture appears to have shifted in a relatively short period, reflecting a growing willingness among European partners to explore more ambitious options for air defense and deterrence.
One senior official suggested that if the situation three months ago was about acquiring tanks, the current climate points toward assembling a coalition capable of supplying fighter jets. The belief is that Ukraine’s air defense would be incomplete without F-16 aircraft, and estimates suggest Ukraine aims to secure roughly 40 to 50 jets. The F-16, a platform used by multiple European countries, is seen as a standard for interoperability and range of mission profiles across allied air forces.
Commitments in the G7
At the G7 summit and in the wake of Zelenskiy’s international visits, U.S. President Joe Biden affirmed that the United States would assist in training Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16s, reinforcing a shared NATO approach to the security challenge. Several European partners expressed a similar willingness to contribute to pilot training. France indicated its readiness to participate alongside other European nations, a stance voiced by Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. Officials cautioned that translating these commitments into concrete deployments would take months, with practical progress expected in stages rather than all at once. In parallel, Ukraine’s immediate needs were reiterated as ammunition, armored vehicles, and ongoing maintenance services to keep equipment combat-ready.
The Dutch government echoed a careful stance, with Minister Wopke Hoekstra emphasizing that training Ukrainian pilots is a prerequisite step should a decision be made to supply fighters. He noted no timetable could be reliably provided and avoided predicting how quickly decisions would unfold. The Dutch position also highlighted a preference to keep the focus on training rather than immediate shipments, while leaving room for future developments. Other states, including Germany and Portugal, have expressed reservations about expanding their commitments beyond training, though several have kept options open for future consideration.
As the week progressed, the Ukraine situation remained in sharp focus for the Twenty-Seven. Negotiations continued on broader sanctions and support measures, while work persisted on a new tranche of European Peace and Security funding. Hungary remained a point of contention, continuing to block certain steps as Kyiv remains listed on an international sanctions roster. The bloc pursued a steady path toward consensus, balancing the desire to assist Ukraine with the need to manage political and security risks across member states. The overall aim remains clear: to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and deterrence while coordinating closely with allied partners to align military deliveries with strategic and operational realities on the ground, all within a framework that preserves stability for Europe as a whole.