Previously, the Netherlands had said it aimed to start training Ukrainian pilots "as soon as possible", but had stopped short of specifying when such training could get under way. And we'll see if that's realistic" for the start of the training programme, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told Reuters in an interview. A final decision has not yet been taken on a request from Kyiv to supply dozens of F-16s, Ollongren said. Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the training would begin with two groups of 12 Ukrainian pilots, already experienced flying Soviet-era MiGs. Ukrainian pilots would have to learn how to operate the F-16's so-called 'hands-on throttle and stick'.

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Persons: Kajsa Ollongren, Ollongren, it's, Volodymyr, Zelenskiy, Colonel Laurens, Jan Vijge, that's, Anthony Deutsch, Phillip Stewart Organizations: NATO, Reuters, Dutch Defense, U.S, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, U.S, Russia, Denmark, Ukraine, Kyiv, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Britain, Soviet, Ukrainian, Dutch, Afghanistan, The Hague, Washington