Netherlands will not restrict Ukraine's use of F-16s to strike targets in Russia

Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren has said that her country will allow Ukraine to use the F-16 fighter jets the Netherlands will supply, including for strikes on targets in Russia.

"We are applying the same principle that we have applied to every other delivery of capabilities, which is once we hand it over to Ukraine, it’s theirs to use. We only ask them to comply to international law and the right to self-defence as stated in the U.N. Charter, which means they use it to target the military goals they need to target in their self-defence," Ollogren said in an interview with Politico.

Ollongren was among the officials who called for the lifting of restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons by the allies who had imposed them. 

She also expressed hope that the policy of supporting Ukraine would continue after the transfer of power to the new Dutch government. 

"I think it’s vital that we continue to play that role. I have seen in the program for [the] new government that the support [for] Ukraine will continue, that the new government also values the European Union, NATO, etc."

Denmark also stated that it would not restrict Ukraine's use of the F-16s it plans to transfer.