(Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to Ukraine said on Thursday that Ukrainian pilots were undergoing training in the United States on F-16 fighter aircraft, a key element on Kyiv's wish list to secure the weaponry it needs in its war against Russia. The U.S. approved sending F-16s fighter jets to Ukraine from the Netherlands and Denmark in August once pilot training is completed. "Ukrainian pilots are now training with the Arizona Air National Guard on F-16s," Ambassador Bridget Brink said on X, formerly Twitter. "This is an essential part of building Ukraine's air defense. The United States is proud to work w/ European partners to support Ukraine against Russia’s brutal aggression."

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Persons: Bridget Brink, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, Russia, The U.S, Arizona Air National Guard Locations: U.S, Ukraine, United States, The, Netherlands, Denmark