Netherlands First NATO Member to Buy US Arms for Ukraine

The Netherlands has become the first NATO member to contribute €500 million ($576 million) to a new NATO initiative, the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), to fund U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine. The funding will support the purchase of Patriot missile systems and related components, crucial for bolstering Ukraine's air defense against Russian aggression. This move follows an agreement between President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, with Trump emphasizing that European allies would cover the costs of weapons supplied by the U.S. to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the Netherlands' support, highlighting its importance for protecting both Ukraine and Europe from Russian attacks. NATO leadership, including Rutte, has urged other member countries to join the initiative to ensure continuous and coordinated delivery of military aid to Ukraine. The effort is part of a broader European push to enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities, with other countries like Germany and Norway also acquiring Patriot systems through NATO arrangements.