Zelenskyy announces new decisions on F-16s for Ukraine before NATO summit

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said in Washington that a new decision on the F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine is expected soon.

Zelenskyy noted  in an address during the NATO summit in Washington that yesterday there was a decision on five more Patriot air defence systems and dozens of other systems for Ukraine, and today, 10 July, there will be a decision on the aircraft.

"Today, we continue our work in Washington. Very soon, there will be a decision regarding the F-16s. We are increasing the number of aircraft available to Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

He also announced two new security agreements.

"These agreements include support for sanctions against Russia, support for our accession to the EU and NATO, support for our defence – our soldiers, all our people, and reconstruction – all of this is taken into account in the security agreements exactly as needed," he said, without specifying which countries he was referring to.

Zelenskyy also announced that he would hold at least ten talks with the leaders of these countries. "Today, there will also be meetings in the U.S. Congress – both parties, both chambers. We appreciate the American support and will discuss how to add even more good results to our cooperation with America – preferably, long-range and far-reaching," he said.

As reported, the Washington NATO summit is not expected to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance.

On Wednesday night, the US President announced the provision of new Patriot systems to Ukraine, but it turned out that not all of the announced deliveries were reported earlier. 

Later, the White House explained what other air defence systems they would provide to Ukraine.