DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

23 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Zelenskyy makes flying visit to NL to discuss F-16 handover

August 20, 2023
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Rutte standing next to a F-16 fighter jet. Photo: Ukrainian presidential press service / AFP

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a lightning visit to the Netherlands on Sunday to discuss the handover of a number of Dutch F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian armed forces.

Earlier this week, the US gave the green light to the Netherlands and Denmark to give their excess planes to Ukraine. It is the first time western countries have pledged to hand over modern fighter jets.

Prime minister Mark Rutte on Sunday confirmed that the Netherlands will send fighter planes to Ukraine although it is unclear as yet how many of the 42 owned by the Netherlands will go.

“We need some for training in Denmark and later in Romania,” Rutte said during a press conference at the Eindhoven air base. “Of course we are going to see if we can supply the rest or if things have to be done to ready them. So I cannot give an exact number.”

It will be at least six months, probably longer, before the jets can be delivered and Ukrainian pilots are currently being trained to use them.

Zelenskyy headed for Denmark after he left the Netherlands. Denmark is expected to provide 19 F-16s to the Ukrainian armed forces, broadcaster NOS said.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Armed forces Ukraine
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Trump will attend Nato summit in The Hague, Schoof says
Dutch forensic experts develop deepfake video detector
Fewer international child abductions by parents last year
Weekend brings showers and cooler weather, sun still possible
Many "new" homes on Funda were already on the market for months
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now