Providing Ukraine with modern combat aircraft, in particular the F-16, will be the best investment in the long-term security of the European continent. So this decision should be made by the partners as soon as possible.

 This was stated by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba during the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU.

 "There is no rational argument why Ukraine cannot get modern Western-type combat aircraft, and I am convinced that this decision will be adopted. Ukraine is the defender of Europe. Providing Ukraine with F-16 aircraft will be the best investment of this decade in the security of the European continent," - noted Kuleba.

 The head of the Foreign Ministry expressed his belief that the countries of the European Union are able to play a leading role in making a decision to provide Ukraine with modern combat aircraft and thus demonstrate their strategic leadership.

 "It is necessary to start training Ukrainian pilots on Western-type aircraft as soon as possible, so that when they are provided, we can immediately use them. This will save the lives of our soldiers and civilians and guarantee Ukraine's superiority over the enemy in the air," Kuleba emphasized.

 He also drew attention to the fact that the provision of F-16 to Ukraine and the integration of its anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense and the neighboring EU countries will complete the formation of the infrastructure of a peaceful European sky.

 We will remind, earlier NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the discussion on the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is ongoing.

 As explained in the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, our country wants to get F-16 because of their multifunctionality. Because the pilots would be able to perform both combat missions and strengthen the defense of the sky.