The Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa who is in Kyiv has announced that his country will train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets.
On Thursday Sousa confirmed Portugal’s readiness to join in the training programme of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “Portugal is a member of our tank and aviation coalition. Today, Portugal confirmed its readiness to join the training of Ukrainian pilots and engineers on F-16 aircraft.
“We also discussed the possibilities for expanding defense cooperation, in particular, with regard to the supply of armored medical equipment and mine-clearing equipment to Ukraine.
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Zelensky noted Portugal’s importance in joining the G7 declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine.
He said, “We are grateful that Portugal supported the Peace Formula, participates in joint work with partners in the preparation of the Ukraine-Latin America and Ukraine-Africa summits.”
Zelenskyy added, “we are counting on powerful, systematic work and a systemic agreement on restoration between our states.”
Norway has also announced that they are the latest country to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, TV2 said, citing data from several independent sources on Thursday.
TV2 said, “Thus, Norway becomes the third NATO country after the Netherlands and Denmark to hand over F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is also in Kyiv visiting President Zelensky.
