NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that when Ukraine receives F-16 fighter jets from its allies, it will have the right to self-defense, including striking legitimate Russian military targets outside Ukraine.

He stated this in an interview with Radio Liberty, the video of which was posted on the resource's website.

Asked when Ukraine would be able to deploy F-16 fighters, Stoltenberg said it was impossible to say. He reiterated that all of Ukraine's allies want them there sooner rather than later, but noted that the F-16's impact will be greater if the pilots are well trained and the maintenance crews and other support personnel are well trained.

"So, I think we have to listen to the military experts exactly when we will be ready to or when allies will be ready to start sending and delivering the F-16s. The sooner the better," he said.

As Radio Liberty notes, "Ukraine has actively sought the U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to help it counter Russian air superiority. The United States in August approved sending F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands as soon as pilot training was completed."

According to Stoltenberg, each ally will decide for itself whether to supply Ukraine with F-16s, and allies have different policies. But at the same time, he said, the war in Ukraine is a war of aggression, and Ukraine has the right to self-defense, including striking legitimate Russian military targets outside Ukraine.