Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala in Uzhhorod on Tuesday, May 20, where they agreed to strengthen defense ties and launch a joint training program for Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilots.
Shmyhal said the leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including security, economic cooperation, Ukraine’s EU integration, and post-war reconstruction.
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“We will strengthen the integration of the Ukrainian and Czech defense industries. In addition, we agreed on cooperation in the field of training Ukrainian F-16 pilots,” Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.
He praised the Czech Republic for its leadership role in the enforcement of sanctions against Russia and urged further tightening of restrictions.
“We expect further strengthening of sanctions, as well as blocking all schemes to circumvent them. We also insist on the full confiscation of Russian assets frozen in the West,” he said.
The two prime ministers also emphasized the importance of continued military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Fiala reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s EU accession, including expert guidance during pre-accession negotiations.
In addition, Shmyhal and Fiala agreed to deepen bilateral trade and enhance cooperation in energy, agriculture, transportation, healthcare and reconstruction efforts.
“I am confident that Ukraine and the Czech Republic will continue to work together to address shared security, economic, and integration challenges,” Shmyhal said.
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In early May, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine and the Czech Republic would jointly establish a school to train F-16 pilots, as part of their cooperation as part of the international aviation coalition.
“President Pavel and I are discussing next steps for the aviation coalition, including the creation of a Ukrainian Czech F-16 school,” Zelensky said.
“Russian strikes continue daily, so we’re working with our partners to establish such schools outside of Ukraine. And it will happen – we’ve agreed that the Czech Republic will support us in making this a reality.”
Fiala later confirmed the training would take place at military bases in the Czech Republic and involve both F-16s and L-39 trainers.
“Ukraine trains its fighter pilots on Czech models that we supply,” Fiala said during an earlier press conference with Zelensky in Prague.
The international F-16 coalition was established in 2023 to provide Ukraine with Western fighter jets. The Netherlands and Denmark have already delivered the first aircraft, though the exact number remains undisclosed.
In March, Zelensky said a new batch of F-16s had arrived and that Ukraine needs at least 128 to meet its defense needs. Belgium has pledged to transfer 30 jets by 2028.
In April, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, confirmed that more F-16s are being prepared for Ukraine, though he did not name the donor country.
The US Department of State announced on May 2 that it had approved a potential Foreign Military Sales deal to support Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jet program. The $310.5 million package includes non-lethal, non-major defense items such as aircraft modifications and upgrades, personnel training, spare parts and consumables.
The deal also covers additional support like repair and return services, ground handling equipment, and both classified and unclassified software delivery and support.
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