F-16 no “silver bullet” for Ukraine against Russia — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg

F-16 fighter jets would not serve as a “silver bullet” for the Ukrainian Armed Forces amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, cautioned NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
The swift delivery of these fighter jets to Ukraine would serve as an example of significant military support for Ukraine from NATO, Stoltenberg said.
"NATO allies providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters, sending weapons for those planes, and training pilots is a very important example of the alliance’s military assistance to Ukraine," he said.
"However, no single system can change the situation on the battlefield alone. F-16s are not a ‘silver bullet’ that will determine the course of the war."
F-16s are important for Ukraine as they will increase its capabilities on the battlefield, Stoltenberg said.
He expressed appreciation for Ukraine's allies' dedicated efforts in facilitating these deliveries and providing training for pilots and technical personnel involved with the F-16s.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that his country, along with the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark had agreed to participate in training Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets on May 19, 2023.
Romanian officials said on July 6, 2023, they were opening a regional training center for F-16 fighter pilots, which would be available to its allies and partners, including Ukraine.
According to media reports, the first F-16s will appear in Ukrainian skies around June 2024.
The Belgian government recently approved the allocation of its 25th aid package for Ukraine, which includes funding for the maintenance of F-16 fighter jets. Denmark and the Netherlands were the first countries to pledge to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but said this would happen after the Ukrainian pilots had completed their training.