Ukrainian pilots of F-16 fighter jets will have the right to strike at legitimate military facilities in Russia. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with Radio Liberty.

When asked when Ukraine would be able to deploy F-16s, Stoltenberg said it was impossible to say.

He confirmed that all of Ukraine's allies want the fighter jets to appear in Ukraine as soon as possible, but noted that the effect of the F-16 will be stronger if the pilots are well trained and the crews and other support personnel are well prepared.

"So, I think we should listen to the opinion of military experts when we are ready or when the allies are ready to start sending and delivering F-16s. The sooner the better," he said.

According to Stoltenberg, each ally will decide for itself whether to supply F-16s to Ukraine, and the allies follow different policies.

But at the same time, the Secretary General noted, the war in Ukraine is an aggressive war, and Kyiv has the right to self-defense, including strikes on legitimate Russian military facilities outside Ukraine.