Netherlands Grants Ukraine Permission to Use F-16 Jets for Strikes Inside Russia

welcome to Global defense today we're discussing a significant development in the ongoing Russia Ukraine conflict involving Ukraine's use of Western supplied military aircraft recently the Netherlands a key supporter of Ukraine announced that it would allow Ukraine to use its americanmade F-16 fighter jets to strike targets inside Russian territory as long as such actions adhere to International humanitarian laws ano eim the Netherlands chief of Defense stated in an interview with Dutch outlet noos that there are no restrictions on the use of the f-16s provided by the Netherlands as long as Ukraine complies with the laws of war Ukraine can use the resources we provide as it wishes provided that it adheres to the humanitarian law of War eel shim noted this marks a significant shift in the approach taken by Ukraine's Western allies regarding how Kiev employs Western supplied Weaponry the debate over whether Ukraine should be permitted to use Western weapons on Russian soil has been a contentious issue among its allies keev argues that expanding the operational range of these weapons could be decisive in turning the tide of the war the Netherland stance suggests that other allies might soon adopt a more relaxed approach regarding Ukraine's operations deeper within Russian territory Dutch defense minister Ruben breelan echoed eel shim's comments explaining that under the law of War if Ukraine is attacked from Russian territory it is within its rights to strike back at military Targets in Russia Brean added that if a missile is fired from Russian soil Ukrainian forces could use an F-16 to intercept it over Russia however he emphasized that Ukraine is not allowed to Target civilians the Dutch Ministry of Defense further clarified that Ukraine is free to use f-16s provided by the Netherlands for self-defense over Russian territory as long as they adhere to article 51 of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law for example Ukraine may use these Jets to strike military airfields in Russia from which attacks on Ukraine originate this development aligns with previous statements from officials in both the Netherlands and Denmark another member of the Coalition supporting Ukraine with f-16s Dutch foreign minister Hani Bran's slot and danish foreign minister Lars Locker Ras musen have both suggested that there are no borders when it comes to Ukraine's use of Western weapons for self-defense under article 51 of the UN Charter these statements represent a potential turning point in the western approach to the Russia Ukraine war highlighting growing support for more assertive Ukrainian military operations thank you for listening to Global defense don't forget to like subscribe hit the Bell icon for notifications and share this with others stay informed and see you next time on global defense