Norway Undecided About Donating F16s To Ukraine

Wires carrying comments from Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram stating that Norway supports the training of Ukrainian pilots on F16s fighter planes, but Oslo, "hasn't decided whether to donate F-16s to Ukraine."

• The US greenlit the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 last week following pressure from an international consortium of allies, raising hopes that an agreement could be reached on procurement ahead of the July 11-13 NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
• Optimism has decreased slightly since as no European country has yet stepped forward with an offer to donate from their fleets.
• Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said on Monday: “Let’s make sure we now make the most of training activities. What the future then holds for us, remains to be seen.”
• Politico: "The pattern, however, is one that has played out over and over as Western allies gradually escalate the weaponry they are shuttling to Ukraine. At first, there is hesitation. Then one of the major powers — often the U.S. — takes a first step, followed by a coalition of European nations that jump roughly together."