Netherlands first in Europe to finance American weapons for Ukraine via NATO

The Netherlands will become the first European state to provide money to buy American manufacturing weapons for Ukraine, under a plan agreed by President Donald Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced on Monday that his nation will contribute 500 million euros ($ 576 million) to a fund called the List of Priority Ukrainian requirements (PUL).

Brekelmans said that funding would go to Patriot Systems and Missiles, a mobile air surface interceptor.

Developed in the 1980s and still considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the United States, the patriot can thwart the attacks of aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

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Last month, during a White House meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte, President Trump promised that Europe would spend “billions” on American weapons to arm Ukraine. (Images Andrew Harnik / Getty)

A new patriot system and missiles to accompany it could cost around $ 1.1 billion, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The latest version of the missile costs around $ 4 million per room.

Last month, during a White House meeting with Rutte, Trump promised that Europe would spend “billions” on American weapons to arm Ukraine.

“Billions of dollars of military equipment will be purchased in the United States, going to NATO … and this will be quickly distributed on the battlefield,” said Trump.

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Zelenksyy begged Europe and the United States for more patriotic systems and missiles. (Jens Buttner / Pool via Reuters / Photo File)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Netherlands for the financing of X.

“Ukraine, and therefore the whole of Europe, will be better protected against Russian terror,” he wrote.

“I am sincerely grateful to the Netherlands for their substantial contribution to the strengthening of Ukraine’s air shield,” he added.

Rutte also thanked the Netherlands and encouraged other European NATO allies to follow the plunge.

“It is a question of obtaining Ukraine the equipment that it needs urgent to defend itself now against the Russian attack,” he said in a statement.

Aftermath of A Russian Drone Strike in the Kharkiv region in Ukraine. Zelenskyy says nation needs patriotic missiles to intercept attacks. (Reuters / Sofiia Gatilova)

“I wrote to all NATO allies, urging them to contribute to this initiative to share the burden, and I soon expect additional announcements from other allies.”

The Netherlands have become one of Ukraine’s best defense donors, engaging nearly 3 billion euros in military aid since the start of the Russian large-scale invasion in 2022. Dutch support included tanks, F-16 training and now, contributions to strategic air defense platforms like the patriot.

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The new Trump-Nato agreement was after the Republicans expressed their frustration with regard to nearly $ 128 billion in aid that the United States has offered to Ukraine, arguing that Europe should occupy the burden. At the same time, Trump is increasingly impatiently impatiently impatient Vladimir Putin during the peace negotiations.

The Witkoff Steve Witkoff’s envoy should go to Moscow this week before the deadline that Trump gave to Putin to end the war. The president threatened to slap stiff prices on Russia and any nations that do business with her if this week’s negotiations fail to produce an agreement.