Irina Pogorelaya21:52, 14.10.25

Rutte expressed dissatisfaction with how slowly the US is delivering the weapons it ordered.

European countries that have ordered F-35 fighter jets and Patriot air defense missile systems from the United States are facing long waits for deliveries due to the slow pace of production of these weapons.

Secretary-General Mark Rutte made this statement . He shared that he sometimes “remembers the old Russian joke about a Lada and a refrigerator” in this regard. According to Rutte, the joke is relevant in the context of the slow deliveries of the F-35 and Patriot.

“The Lada salesman says the car will be delivered in 10 years. [The buyer’s] reaction: morning or afternoon? What’s the difference? Well, they’ll deliver a refrigerator in the afternoon,” the General Secretary recalled a Russian joke.

The situation with American weapons

US senators are demanding that the US military address the low combat readiness of F-35A fighter jets and their high maintenance costs. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker said that although the F-35 is the most advanced fighter jet in the world, many of them are sitting idle on runways.

On October 13, Belgium received its first F-35 fighter jets. This event is also important for Ukraine, as it could accelerate the delivery of F-16 fighter jets.

(C)UNIAN 2025