NATO countries have started delivering F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to bolster its defenses against Russia, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced today.

“I am pleased to announce that as we speak, the transfer of F-16 aircraft from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine is underway,” the top US diplomat said at an event on the sidelines of the NATO summit. “These aircraft will fly in Ukrainian skies this summer,” he added.

According to Blinken, a new, “incredibly strong” aid package for Ukraine is expected to be announced within the next two days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is also in Washington, said he expects decisions to be made today on new deliveries of F-16 aircraft to his country. “Today we continue to work in Washington. There will, in particular, be a decision on the F-16s very soon. We are increasing the number of aircraft available for Ukraine,” he said in a video message posted on the Telegram platform.