Canada might join the training of Ukrainian pilots – Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau announced that the country will continue the training of the Ukrainian military and might participate in the training of fighter jet pilots.

He announced this during the Group of Seven (G7) leaders’ summit taking place in Hiroshima, Japan.

“Canada is already involved in an extensive training program for the Ukrainian military, we’re always looking to do more. So we will continue to work on the training of Ukrainian forces and, potentially, pilots,” the Prime Minister of Canada shared during the briefing.

Trudeau added that Canada, together with other G7 leaders, will continue supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression.

On Friday, May 19, US President Joe Biden informed G7 leaders that the US will support a joint effort with allies and partners to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

The training is expected to take place entirely in Europe, but US personnel will participate in the training.

Later, Jake Sullivan, adviser to the President of the United States on national security, emphasized that the US President’s decision to support the training of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 demonstrates “a long-term commitment to Ukrainian self-defense.”

He also confirmed that in the following months, the United States, together with other states, will discuss when and in what amount Ukraine will receive modern Western fighters.

The UK initiated the training of Ukrainian pilots.

The Netherlands, together with the United Kingdom, announced that they will work on creating an “aviation coalition” for Ukraine.

Belgium, Poland, and Portugal are ready to join pilot training. France is also ready to join the training.