The Netherlands is set to become the first European country to provide funding for the purchase of U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine, following an agreement between President Donald Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced on Monday that the Netherlands will contribute €500 million ($576 million) to the NATO Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.
The funding will be used for Patriot systems and missiles, a mobile surface-to-air interceptor. The Patriot system, developed in the 1980s, is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the U.S. It is capable of thwarting attacks from aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a new Patriot system and its accompanying missiles could cost around $1.1 billion. The latest version of the missile costs approximately $4 million each.
Last month, during a meeting at the White House with Rutte, President Trump pledged that Europe would spend “billions” on U.S. weapons to arm Ukraine. He emphasized that the military equipment would be quickly distributed to the battlefield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude towards the Netherlands for the funding, stating that Ukraine and Europe will be better protected from Russian aggression.
Rutte also thanked the Netherlands for its contribution and encouraged other European NATO allies to follow suit. He stressed the importance of providing Ukraine with the necessary equipment to defend itself against Russian aggression.
The Netherlands has been a major donor of military aid to Ukraine, committing close to €3 billion since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022. Dutch support has included tanks, F-16 training, and now, contributions towards strategic air defense platforms like the Patriot.
The new agreement between Trump and NATO comes after concerns raised by Republicans regarding the amount of aid provided by the U.S. to Ukraine. There is a growing impatience towards Russian President Vladimir Putin during peace negotiations, with White House envoy Steve Witkoff scheduled to head to Moscow this week before the deadline set by Trump for ending the war. The president has threatened to impose steep tariffs on Russia and its allies if negotiations fail to produce a deal this week.
