Russia condemned the decision on Monday of Denmark and the Netherlands to offer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, warning that such a move would escalate the conflict.

Denmark and the Netherlands announced yesterday, Sunday, that they will supply Ukraine with F-16s, the first six of which are expected to be delivered early next year.

“The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict,” Russian ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin said in a statement, cited by the Ritzau news agency.

“By hiding behind the assumption that Ukraine must determine the terms for peace itself, Denmark seeks by its actions and actions to leave no other choice in Ukraine from continuing the military confrontation with Russia,” he adds.

Danish Defense Minister Jakob Elleman-Jensen said that Ukraine will be able to use the F-16s that they will be provided to it only within its territory. “We provide weapons on the condition that they will be used to expel the enemy from the territory of Ukraine. And for nothing more than that,” noted the Danish defense minister today.

“These are the terms, whether it’s tanks, fighter jets or whatever,” he added.

Denmark will deliver in total 19 fighter jets. The Netherlands has a total of 42 F-16s, but it has not been decided whether all will be sent to Ukraine, as Volodymyr Zelensky stated.

Ukraine’s president said yesterday that the fighter jets will bolster Ukraine’s air defenses and help Ukraine counterattack against Russian forces.