Key Takeaways
- The new Belgian Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, has pledged to continue providing aid to Ukraine with humanitarian and military support.
- Belgium plans to maintain and expand sanctions against Russia, while continuing to support Ukraine.
- The Belgian government’s decision to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine has sparked debate in the country, with critics fearing a reduction in the combat capability of the Belgian air force.
Moscow: New Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has pledged to continue supporting Ukraine with humanitarian and military aid.
“We will tirelessly support Ukraine. Our country is not only the heart of Europe, but also an active supporter of the European Union,” De Wever said in his first speech in the parliament on Tuesday.
The Belgian government reportedly declared in its program its “intention to maintain humanitarian and military support for Ukraine, as well as maintain and expand sanctions against Russia.” At the same time, the government plans to significantly reduce social spending, increasing spending on military purposes.
The previous Belgian government promised to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets in 2024, but was never able to fulfill its promise. The issue of aircraft supplies has caused heated debate in Belgium, as critics of such a decision fear a reduction in the combat capability of the Belgian air force. In particular, the media reported that Belgium currently has only 24 serviceable F-16s, which are used to patrol not only the Belgian borders, but also the borders of other NATO countries.
