President Joe Biden has told G7 leaders that the US will support joint efforts with allies and partners to train Ukrainian pilots in the use of combat aircraft, including the F-16. The White House confirmed this after previous reports of the effect appeared in the American media.

The training is expected to take place entirely in Europe. However, American personnel will participate in joint training with allies in Europe. It is estimated that it will take several months.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will attend the G7 summit in Japan, called the decision “historic” on Twitter. Zelensky has repeatedly urged his Western allies to provide fighter jets.

US participation in the possible training does not mean that the US has decided to send fighter jets to Ukraine. “As the training progresses over the next few months, the coalition of countries participating in this effort will decide whether we will actually provide the aircraft, how many we will provide and who will provide them,” the official told CNN.

In March, the US hosted two Ukrainian pilots at a military base in Tucson, Arizona, to evaluate their skills using a flight simulator and assess how long it would take them to learn how to fly various US military aircraft, including the F-16. The US Congress has allocated money for such training in the 2023 budget.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he was pleased with the decision. “Details will be worked out in the coming weeks,” Rutte said on Twitter.

His colleagues from Britain, Denmark and Belgium also “welcomed” the news from the US, Rutte wrote. ‘Ukraine can continue to count on the unwavering support of the Netherlands and its international partners.’

Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren agreed with Rutte’s words. Conditions are being worked out in conjunction with ‘our closest allies’ Denmark, Belgium and the UK. “We stand ready to support Ukraine in this,” Ollongren tweeted.