By Athena Papakosta

The first batch of American F-16 fighter jets are already being transferred to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands. Additional fighter jets will be delivered from Belgium and Norway.

The president of Ukraine expresses his gratitude, Volodymyr Zelensky without hiding that he desires more. In fact, he is asking for a total of 128, that is, 43 more than the approximately 85 fighters that are expected to be delivered to his country.

It remains unknown, of course, how many fighters are currently being transferred to Ukraine. Likewise, it remains unknown where they will take off from, since the Moscow has made it clear that if the West transfers F-16s to Ukraine, they will be shot down.

According to military analysts, the fighter jets will now help Ukraine defend its troops on the front lines and, in the future, be able to conduct operations. At the moment, no one is saying with certainty that this is a turning point in the ongoing war with everyone judging that the fighter jets will primarily end up being targeted by Russia.

At the same time, there is strong concern that it remains unknown whether Kiev will be able to use them to attack military targets inside Russian territory, with an American military official speaking to the British BBC explaining that this concerns the bilateral agreements that have been concluded. for the delivery of the fighters.

The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskythanked the allies for the new military aid to his country while pressing, however, for its faster delivery and for the lifting of restrictions on the use of American weapons for attacks against military targets inside Russian territory.

“We will stay with you. Full stop,” the US president emphasized. Joe Bidenstating that he will announce a new aid package to Ukraine.

But Kiev remains dissatisfied as Ukraine did not receive what it most desired, a specific timetable for its entry into the military Alliance. Instead, what she received were assurances about the “irreversible course” of her accession.

The head of the office of the Ukrainian presidency, Andriy Yermak, stressed that “the next step” should be the invitation to join Ukraine in NATO.

At the same time, the decision to install conventional missiles and cruise missiles by the United States in Wiesbaden, Germany, for the purpose of European military deterrence in the face of Russian aggression, also throws water into the mill of tension with Russia.

As it became known from the relevant joint announcement from the German and American sides, which was issued on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington, in the future, hypersonic weapons will also be transferred to Germany.

“Nobody can bully us,” replies Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Ryabkovpointing out that Moscow is preparing a “military response”.

The president of Turkey did not hide his concern about the prospect of a direct conflict between NATO and Russia. Recep Tayyip Erdoganunderlining that “any steps leading to this should be avoided”.

“NATO does not want to be led to war with Russia” explained the president of Poland, Andrzej Duda with the Secretary General of NATO himself. Jens Stoltenberg to explain that “supporting Ukraine is not charity, but remains for the benefit of our own security”.