COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Russia said on Monday that a decision by Denmark and the Netherlands to donate its first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would only escalate the conflict, while Ukraine said the planes would help end its invasion of Moscow. Denmark and the Netherlands announced on Sunday that they would deliver F-16s to Ukraine, with the first six due around the New Year. Washington last week approved the delivery of the American-made jet. "The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine led to an escalation of the conflict," Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin said in a statement quoted by Rica news agency. "Denmark, through its actions and rhetoric, is trying to leave Ukraine with no choice but to continue its military confrontation with Russia, on the premise that Ukraine must decide for itself the terms of the peace," he said.

Kiev said the plane was crucial to the success of its counteroffensive attempt to push Russian forces out of its territory, which has been progressing slowly since it launched in early June, as it would prevent Russian warplanes from attacking advancing troops. Ukrainian media quoted Air Force spokesman Yuri Inat as saying: "Air superiority is the key to success on the ground." Danish Defense Minister Jacob Ellemann-Jensen said Ukraine could only use the donated F-16s on its own territory. We donate weapons on the condition that they are capable of driving the enemy out of Ukrainian territory. That's all," Elleman-Jensen said on Monday. "Those are the conditions, whether it's tanks, fighter jets or something else," he said. Denmark will deliver a total of 19 aircraft. The Netherlands has a total of 42 F-16s, but has not yet decided whether to donate them all