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Aug 4, 2025 at 6:48 PMU

The Netherlands is buying €500 million in weapons from the United States and then providing them to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense announced Monday. This makes the Netherlands the first NATO member to accept a proposal from US President Donald Trump.

The €500 million package includes components for Patriot systems and missiles. “Ukraine urgently needs more air defense and ammunition,” writes outgoing Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on X .

With this purchase, the Netherlands is participating in the American initiative launched by Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte in July. This initiative gives NATO members the opportunity to purchase equipment from the United States for Ukraine. This way, material support goes to Kyiv without the US having to foot the bill.

According to the Ministry of Defense, other allies have already pledged funding. This aid is not a replacement for existing support, but rather an addition to it.

“The daily Russian attacks are pure terror, aimed at destroying Ukraine,” Brekelmans said in a statement . “We, the Netherlands, don’t want this to happen, and that’s why we’re contributing to these American aid packages.”

The Netherlands wants to continue to play a pioneering role

According to the minister, US air defense systems and munitions are crucial for Ukraine’s defense. He says the Netherlands “continues to play a leading role” in military support for Ukraine.

With the American initiative, other NATO countries hope to guarantee future support for Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly stated that he no longer wants to spend as much on aid for Ukraine as his predecessor, Joe Biden, did. He also expressed concerns about the dwindling supplies within the US itself.

In March, Trump temporarily halted all arms and intelligence transfers to Ukraine after a spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House. He later resumed the shipments.

Lately, Trump seems particularly irritated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He’s threatening severe sanctions if Putin doesn’t agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine within a few days.

(C)NU.NL 2025