Dutch first U.S. arms buyers under NATO scheme

The Hague (AFP) — The Netherlands will buy 500 million euros ($577 million) of United States weapons for Ukraine, becoming the first North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member to fund a full package under a new scheme to speed deliveries from American stockpiles, the defense ministry said.

The purchase will be under the Prioritized 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 defense 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 Defense 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 on Monday evening.

“These weapons are badly needed,” 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 defense ministry.