The Netherlands will be the first country to contribute to NATO's new plan - – "Priority Ukraine Requirements List" (PURL), financing a scheme to supply Kiev with weapons with 500 million euros ($578 million), Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said today, quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.
"Ukraine now needs more air defense systems and ammunition. "As the first NATO country (with a contribution under the new plan), we will deliver a package of American weapons systems worth 500 million euros (including components for Patriot air defense systems and missiles)," Brekelmans said in a post on the social platform "Ex".
"This helps Ukraine defend itself and the rest of Europe from the Russian aggressor," he added.
A statement released by the Dutch Ministry of Defense said that other countries had also expressed their intention to finance the new project. Ukraine can use stocks of US military equipment purchased from NATO countries.
The United States, for its part, is providing military aid worth about $500 million, the Dutch ministry said, with the packages including air defense equipment, ammunition and other essential supplies destined for Ukraine.
The US permanent representative to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, told Reuters on Monday that he expected more countries to announce in the coming weeks that they would provide financial means for the purchase of US military equipment and ammunition for Ukraine's needs through the new scheme.
"I welcome the Netherlands for taking the lead and turning this initiative into real assistance," NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in turn, quoted by Reuters.
"I have written to all NATO allies, urging them to join this plan, which we have jointly "we share the burden," said the former Dutch prime minister, expecting important statements on the subject from other countries in the alliance soon.