One of Ukraine’s key allies said the country could use fighter jets “as it wishes” in attacks on Russia, reflecting a more relaxed stance on how Kyiv uses Western-supplied weapons.
Permission to use Western weapons on Russian soil has become a sticking point between Ukraine and its allies, with Kyiv claiming it could turn the tide in the conflict. Statements from Dutch officials suggest that Ukraine’s other allies may soon follow suit, loosening restrictions on their activities even further in Russia.
“We do not limit the use and range of the F-16, as long as the laws of war are observed,” Dutch Defense Chief Onno Eichelsheim told a Dutch outlet. NOS in a statement published there.
“Ukraine can use the resources provided as it wants, if it complies with the humanitarian law of war,” the general added.
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The Netherlands has been a material supplier for the Ukraine war, so far it has promised 24 American-made F-16s to Kyiv, although Eichelsheim did not confirm that number had been sent to the front line.
Speaking to NOS during a visit to DC, Eichelsheim said that the US partially shares its country’s position on the use of Western weapons in Ukraine, although Washington maintains a stricter public stance on this matter.
“They have different limitations, but they also provide different weapon systems,” Eichelsheim said. “In any case, we have the same line to ensure that Ukraine wins the war.
Eichelsheim, the country’s top military figure, also called Ukraine’s ongoing Kursk offensive “brilliant”, telling NOS: “They took large areas quickly in a good way, with new techniques. In doing so, they have created. dilemma for Putin.”
According to the general, the focus now should be on “strategically” exploiting the territorial gains that have been made in Kursk, which can be used as a “bargaining chip” in future negotiations with Moscow.
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His statement about the Dutch F-16 was reached by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on Thursday.
“The law of war states that if Ukraine is attacked from Russia, Ukraine can also attack military targets,” the minister said, in response to questions about Eichelsheim’s earlier comments. “For the F-16, that means that if, for example, a missile is fired from Russia, you can also intercept it with an F-16 over Russia.”
Brekelmans was quoted by NOS as saying “airports are also legitimate targets,” but Ukraine is “obviously not allowed” to carry out attacks against civilian targets.
Newsweek contacted the Dutch Minister of Defense to clarify the minister’s airport comments.
“Ukraine is free to use the F-16 sent by the Netherlands for self-defense over the territory of the Russian Federation as long as it complies with the rules and regulations set forth in Article 51 of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law,” the ministry said. he said, referring to the founding principle of the United Nations regarding the inherent right of member states to defend themselves.
“This means that Ukraine can use the F-16s sent by the Netherlands to, for example, attack military airfields originating from attacks against Ukraine,” the ministry added.
Efrem Lukatsky)/Associated Press
This is in line with earlier comments made by officials from the Netherlands and Denmark, other members of the informal coalition calling for more F-16s to be sent to Ukraine.
In May, Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot was quoted by RFE/RL as saying “there is no limit to the use of weapons,” if Ukraine’s actions were carried out in self-defense, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Bruins’ Slots’ comments follow fellow Dane Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who told reporters on May 30 that Ukraine’s use of F-16s to attack targets in Russia would be legal if it was a response to Russian attacks and not “arbitrary attacks. into Russia.”
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