Dutch are first to buy US arms for Ukraine under NATO deal

RTÉ News​

3 days ago

The Netherlands will buy €500m of US weapons for Ukraine, becoming the first NATO member to fund a full package under a new scheme to speed deliveries from American stockpiles, the defence ministry said.
The purchase will be under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) mechanism launched by US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte last month.
Under the scheme, countries pay Washington for defence systems and munitions in US warehouses that are then shipped to Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian invasion since February 2022.
"The Netherlands is now taking the lead in supplying military equipment from American stockpiles," Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said on X.
"By supporting Ukraine with determination, we are increasing the pressure on Russia to negotiate."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in a call yesterday evening.
"These weapons are badly needed," Mr Schoof posted on X, highlighting the near-daily drone and missile attacks by Russia.
The Dutch package includes US Patriot missile parts and other systems tailored to Ukraine's front-line requirements, according to the defence ministry.
Mr Brekelmans called the Russian air strikes "pure terror" and warned that Moscow's advance into Ukrainian territory could pose a broader threat to Europe.
"The more Russia dominates Ukraine, the greater the danger to the Netherlands and our NATO allies," he said.
Mr Rutte welcomed the move, calling it a vital first step under the new framework.
"Great to see the Netherlands taking the lead and funding the first package of US military equipment for Ukraine," he said on X.
"I thank Allies for getting Ukraine the equipment it urgently needs to defend against Russian aggression."
Two children among wounded in Kharkiv, officials say
Meanwhile, one person was killed and 10 people, including two children, were wounded early today in Russia's largest air attack on the Ukrainian town of Lozova since the war began, officials said.
The "massive strike" damaged the train station and other infrastructure in the town, a transport hub in the Kharkiv region bordering Russia, state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia said in a statement.
Photos shared by emergency services appeared to show a damaged train and rubble covering a train platform.
"Critical infrastructure, apartment buildings and private homes have been damaged ... Lozova has endured the largest attack since the beginning of the war," town council head Serhiy Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Two children were wounded in the attack that left parts of the region without power and water, he added.
Ukrzaliznytsia said one of its employees died and four more were injured. Emergency services said 10 people in total were injured in the attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia struck civilian infrastructure in Lozova with more than 25 drones, damaging a depot and a station.
Ukraine's air force downed 29 of 46 drones launched by Russia across the country overnight, according to its statement on Telegram. One ballistic missile and 17 drones struck various locations, it said.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports of casualties and damage. There was no immediate comment from Russia.