"In coordination with our F-16 allies and coalition partners, our country will do everything in its power to accelerate the delivery, if possible before the end of this year," said Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder, according to the RTBF channel. The Brussels government indicated that three criteria will have to be met: guaranteeing the security of Belgian territory, maintaining the operationality of its defense and respecting international commitments, particularly within the framework of NATO. In addition, Ukrainian pilots and technicians will have to be sufficiently trained to be able to operate these aircraft. Belgium joined the international F-16 coalition in May of last year and initially its participation was limited to training Ukrainian pilots and technical and logistical support personnel, like other countries such as Portugal. Following a study by the Ministry of Defense, the government decided to also deliver aircraft, which have to be withdrawn from service and replaced by more modern F-35s. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced last October, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a surprise visit by the latter to Brussels, that Belgium would be in a position to supply Kiev with its fighter jets starting in 2025. Belgium also plans to send missiles for air defense systems from its own 'stocks', as well as allocate 200 million euros to participate in the German initiative to supply this equipment to Ukraine. "We will continue to mobilize in the coming weeks to support Ukraine. Our message remains the same: the day that Russia stops its invasion and gives up the illegally occupied territories, the conflict will end," said Ludivine Dedonder, insisting that the hostilities must cease and that political and diplomatic dialogue be resumed. In total, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and Norway have promised to send 45 fighter jets to Ukraine. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the authorities in Kiev have been demanding the delivery of modern fighter jets, but it was only in August of last year that the United States approved the transfer of American fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands, which had already offered to cede these aircraft. The arrival of the first aircraft was scheduled to take place in the first half of this year, but no date has yet been revealed, while Ukrainian pilots and mechanical and logistical support personnel continue their training in various allied countries. Read Also: Ukraine. US announces more Patriot missiles in a 5.6 billion package (Portuguese version)