North Korea has denounced America's plan to transfer F-16 fighter planes to Ukraine, saying that it brings the world closer to nuclear war. The denouncement came in the form of a statement issued by the North Korea's Institute of International Studies, which was then published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
"[Washington's] decision to supply even [jet] fighters is an anti-peace act inciting a long war and totally destroying the regional peace and stability," it stated. "The reality clearly proves that the U.S. is the arch-criminal blocking the peaceful settlement of disputes and pushing the whole of Europe into the crucible of a horrible nuclear war by inciting its followers to provide Ukraine with various kinds of weapons."
A coalition of Western nations – including Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands – agreed to donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. While the U.S. itself refused to donate any planes of its own, the U.S. Department of Defense said Ukrainian pilots will be trained to fly the jets in October at an Arizona facility.
The planes have long been requested by Kyiv, alongside long-range missiles and advanced air defense systems. With Ukraine soon to receive the aircraft, its military hopes to salvage its ongoing offensive that has failed to yield any victories as of writing.
Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly stressed that the ongoing provision of Western weapons to Ukraine draws nations part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization closer to an open conflict with it. Pyongyang has refused to condemn Moscow for its special military operation in Kyiv, accusing Washington of instigating the crisis.
In late July, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu visited North Korea, meeting with its leader Kim Jong-Un. The Korean People's Army – North Korea's military – also showcased its new armaments during Shoigu's trip. (Related: Kim Jong-Un shows off new ATTACK DRONES and BALLISTIC MISSILES in military parade.)
Copenhagen: Ukraine gets F-16 jets under certain conditions
Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren welcomed America's decision "to clear the way for delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine," adding that this allows the coalition "to follow through on the training of Ukrainian pilots." Wopke Hoekstra, the Dutch foreign minister, said the decision is "a major milestone for Ukraine to defend its people and its country."
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov meanwhile confirmed that the planes will be turned over to Kyiv as soon as pilot training is complete.
"Great news from our friends in the United States," Reznikov tweeted. "There is a green light for the Netherlands and Denmark to deliver F-16s to Ukraine after our pilots complete their training. Ukraine has proven that the impossible is indeed possible. Our military has proven it is filled with fast learners."
Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, meanwhile, told the Ritzau news agency on Aug. 18: "The government has said several times that a donation is a natural next step after training. We are discussing it with close allies, and I expect we will soon be able to be more concrete about that."
But three days later on Aug. 21, he announced that the Ukraine-bound F-16 fighter planes coming from Denmark will be transferred under certain conditions. Once transferred to Ukraine, the aircraft must not stray from the country's own internationally recognized borders. The fighter planes must also only be used to retake land occupied by Russian forces.
"We donate weapons under the condition that they are used to drive the enemy out of the territory of Ukraine, and no farther than that," said Ellemann-Jensen. "Those are the conditions – whether it's tanks, fighter planes or something else."
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