He also said that in case of danger, the Ukrainian Armed Forces could use American air defense systems to destroy Russian aircraft.
Sullivan clarified that this includes even those aircraft that are in Russian airspace.
Earlier, Serhiy Holubtsov, chief of aviation for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said that some F-16 fighters transferred to Ukraine will be deployed at foreign air bases to protect them from Russian strikes.
At the same time, Air Force spokesman Ilya Yevlash said that Ukraine is taking the necessary measures to ensure the operation of the F-16s and their deployment within the country.
F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine
The Netherlands and Denmark have pledged to jointly transfer 61 American F-16 fighters to Ukraine, following U.S. approval in August 2023.
Norway has also confirmed its intention to supply F-16s, and Belgium plans to send F-16s starting in 2025.
The Netherlands initially announced plans to prepare for the transfer of the first 18 jets to Ukraine in December 2023, later increasing this number to 24, with a total promise of 42 jets to Kyiv. The anticipated timeline for the transfer is the first half of 2024.
The first multi-role F-16 with trained Ukrainian pilots will arrive in Ukraine by summer 2024, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated on April 18.
The Netherlands plans to start sending F-16s to Ukraine in autumn 2024, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said on May 6. Danish Ambassador to Kyiv Ole Egberg Mikkelsen indicated that the jets will arrive this summer.
The first Western F-16s will arrive in Ukraine within a few weeks, The Standard reported on May 10, citing a high-ranking military source.